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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


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I   M   I   I   M   M   M Li 


12X 


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32X 


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empreinte. 


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TINUED'),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning   "END  "), 
whichever  applies. 


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dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  Ie 
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method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  etre 
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Lorsque  Ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  itre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  Ie  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


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1 

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/ 


THE 

LOST     TRAPPERS; 

A  COLLECTION  OP 
INTERESTING  SCENES  AND  EVENTS 

IN  THE 

ROCKY  MOUNTAINS; 

TOSKTHRH  WITH 

A  SHORT  DESCRIPTION  OP  CALIFORNIA: 

ALSO, 

SOME  ACCOUNT  OP  THE  FUR  TRADE, 

SSPBCIAr.LV   AS   CAKKTCD   ON   ABOUT  THE  SOURCES  OF  MISSOURI,  TBLLOW 

STOKE,   AND   ON   THE   WATERS  OF  THE   COLUMBIA, 

IN  THE  ROCKT  MOUNTAINS. 


BT   DAVID   H.  COXJI<3t^« 


of  Con -►, 


1867 

CINCINNATI^ ^^ VVao■u.<^r^.  " 
J.  A.  ft  U.  P.  JAMES,  WALNUT  STREET, 

BCTWKKN   rOUKTB  AND  VirFH. 

1847. 


Vv   "w,-. . 


■''4: 


I*  J  ijii  ipimmm*'" 


_-----;^^;;^^  vhe  year  1847.  by 

DAVID   H.  COYNER, 

>»  -  -- st^  *wr,f ssr^'i^y^l!!!!- 


» '*j 


JAMG9  »  CO.,  SlawtrP"^  CiMl°M«^ 
;    t   »  11.  P.  JAME8'  Stem  »*"*• 


A    .^ 


^     ni^ii     -'  ""'     '•    '"'■'"■-■""'■ 


■_  ^^^    .  ..:-.  ..-    ..-.^^.■■^^,a 


CONTENTS. 


847,  by 
States, 


ISTRODDCTION 9 

CHAPTER   I. 

Lewis  and  Clarke's  expedition  across  the  Rocky  Mountains— Their 
efforts  to  secure  the  friendship  of  the  western  tribes — Their  presents 
to  the  natives — They  persuade  a  Mandan  chief.  Big  White,  to  de- 
scend the  Missouri  with  them  to  the  States — Object  of  Captain 
Williams'  expedition— Number  of  men  and  their  outfit — The  route 
they  took — Annoye«l  by  a  band  of  wolves — One  caught  in  a  trap — 
Difficulty  in  regaining  the  trap — Frontier  mode  of  driving  off  wolves 
— Dose  of  fish-hooka — Some  of  the  horses  missing — The  Mandan 
chief  of  great  service  to  the  party 2 


CHAPTER  11. 

Kansas  Indians  and  Kansas  river — Signs  of  buflalo— Speed  of  the  An- 
telope— A  hunting  party  of  the  Kansas— A  man  frightened  in  a 
dream — Kansas  braves  visit  Captain  Williams'  camp — The  company 
visit  the  Kansas  village,  and  are  received  with  great  parade — Kind 
feelings  of  the  tribe  for  the  party— A  buflalo  hunt  on  hand — Kansas 
were  experienced  horsemen  and  hunters — Bufialo  plenty,  and  a  great 
hunt — The  grace  and  spirit  of  the  Indians  in  the  hunt 27 


\''',V 


CHAPTER  III. 

A  black  bear  is  killed — A  trade,  a  horse  for  a  dog— A  panorama — The 
party  overtaken  by  the  dog  traded  to  the  chief— They  meet  a  small 

m 


iv 


CONTENT  S. 


party  of  Kansas,  by  whom  the  rcnegado  dog  Ui  returned  to  his  owner 

Running  of  bufliilo,  and  dnngur  to  l)c  apprehended — The  plan  to 

avoid  it — Vast  number  of  bullalo— A  mnn  lost — His  critical  situation 
He  is  found  ihe  next  day — His  report  of  his  night  in  the  prairie  .  37 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Indian  scouts — Vigilance  of  the  party — They  reach  the  Platte — One  of 
the  party  becomes  sicli — The  wny  to  kill  antelope — Pawnees  come  to 
the  camp — They  feel  very  much  for  the  sick  man — The  vapor  both 
cure  for  every  thing — The  sick  man  dies — Indian  honors  bestowed 
upon  their  dead — A  band  of  woIvm  on  the  grave  of  Hamilton,  digging 
up  his  body— This  is  a  common  thing 48 

CHAPTER  V. 

Character  of  the  country — Opinion  of  geologists— Rapid  growth  of  timber 
— Beautiful  sight— Prairie  on  fire  at  night — A  lone  tree — A  band  of 
wolves  chasing  a  young  bufblo  bull,  and  killing  him — They  kill  a 
great  many  calves — Sudden  arrival  of  two  young  Indians,  a  Pawnee 
young  man  and  a  Sioux  girl 56 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Story  of  the  Renegade  Lovers,  Doranto  and  Niargua 


68 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Sioux  and  Sioux  country— Land  Pirates— Strength  of  the  Sioux — 
Doubtful  character  of  the  statements  about  the  numbers  of  the  western 
tribes — Sioux's  intention  to  intercept  the  return  of  Big  White— Car- 
son lost  again— His  horse  killed  in  a  buffalo  chase— Buffalo  hunting 

Its  dangers — Strength,  activity  and  size  of  the  buf&lo — Purity  and 

dryness  of  the  atmosphere — Indian  encampment — Arrival  at  Fort 
Mandan ''^ 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Joy  of  the  Ma-dans  on  the  arrival  of  their  chief— Indian  gravity  and  si- 
lence—Their mutual  attachraent^-Their  grief  for  the  dead— Repose 


n^nki^tfl.MMHi^'MiiAMMMA 


(•  f )  N  T  K  N  T  S  ,  ▼ 

of  thil  party — Tlvfly  reHumo  their  joiirnry — Unknown  dnnKer  before 
them — Bliick-fect  IndiaiiH — Thpir  hostility  to  th«  whiteji — Yellow 
Stone— Hunter's  Elysium — Indian  caught  in  a  tra|>— Five  men  killed 
in  a  buflalo  hunt  by  the  Black-feet — Danger  of  the  company — they 
leave  that  region^Crows-^Ore  of  their  men  leaves  them  .    .    .    .  8% 


CHAPTER   IX. 

Rose,  the  scap»-goat  refugee — The  Cruw  Indians,  and  a  Crow's  des- 
cription of  their  country 91 


6S 


CHAPTER    X. 

Another  disaster  befalls  the  party — All  the  horses  are  stolen — A  fight 
with  the  Indians — Five  more  of  the  party  killed,  and  nineteen  savages 
killed  and  mortally  wounded — The  party  cache  their  furs,  etc.,  and 
leave  the  country — They  reach  the  Arkansas— Their  trapping  opera- 
tions there — All  killed  but  Captain  Williams  and  two  others  .    .  100 


CHAPTER   XI. 

The  forlorn  situation  of  the  three  irapiiers — Their  separation- Ignorance 
on  the  part  of  Indians  at  this  day  of  the  efficiency  of  our  rifles — Great 
sacrifice  of  life — Policy  to  be  observed  in  fighting  Indians— Cae^ 
their  furs — Williams  holds  on  to  his  purpose — His  perplexities — His 
mistake — A  bull  bait — Travel  day  and  night — Vast  number  of  buffalo 
—A  bull  fight — Gangs  of  wild  horses — Contest  with  a  bear — Beaver 
tail  great  delicacy — Description  of  the  beaver,  and  mo<le  of  Inking  him 
in  traps — Beaver  resembles  a  dog ;  his  food — Williams'  firmness — 
Three  Kansas ;  their  treacherous  designs — Williams  runs  into  danger; 
is  made  a  prisoner — Set  at  liberty  again,  but  loses  all  his  furs  .    .  106 


!i'! 


I 


ill! 


m 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Mixing  and  intermarrying  between  white  and  red  men— A  numerous 
hybrid  race — The  conseque.ice,  an  improved  race— Captain  William- 
in  great  perplexity  and  somewhat  frightened — A  mysterious  affaif — 
Reaches  Fort  Coop«r— Cibley  secures  the  lost  furs  to  Captain  VVil- 
121 


VI 


C  O  N  T  K  N  T  S 


CHAPTKR    XIII. 

Captain  Williams  met  with  ditriculty  in  ruininK  nnollier  party— Ciiman- 
che«  and  ihcir  li..r«Mnan»liip,  iind  way  of  fiKhliiig  on  horwhurk— On 
afltli  of  Ucci'inlMT  .losoph  and  William  Ci)o|ior  wt  oiil  with  (Japtain 
Williams— Fort  ()«a«e,  Osbrp  river— Ncaolio  riv.-r— Their  MufliTinK* 
—Want  of  food  — WalnulH  — They  Will  eight  Hiiuirrcb— Indian 
cam|w  and  Otorb  Indians— An  Indian  Bquaw  prepares  a  repast  for  the 
men— One  -f  the  men  faints— Kill  two  l.ufTalo  hulls— StronR  wind- 
Wild  horses— Wolves,  their  nature— A  i>oor  little  wolf  and  a  fat 
coon— An  old  wild  stud  killed-His  meat  rank- They  reaeh  the 
caehes-KM  their  horses-Kill  six  buffalo-  Make  bull  boat- Suffer- 
ing  from  cold— The  Plum  thicket— A  band  of  wolves  altera  bull— A 
prByer-b..>k  is  burnt— Party  discovered  by  Camanches— Move  to  an- 
other   thi.ket— sSct    off  down   the    river- Again    reach   the    Mii»- 

1?8 

•oun 

■%'.'■ 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

Arkansas  river— Hunter's  paradise— Ite  sourc*-8tatcments  of  Pike- 
Workman  and  Spencer  descend  the  Colorado— Scenery  of  that 
river— Spanish  Caravan— They  go  t>  Upper  California— Spend  the 
winter  in  that  country,  examining  'he  country— Return  to  Santa 


Fe 


144 


CHAPTER    XV. 

The  two  trappers  try  their  luck  in  Santa  Fe  for  several  years— Santa  Fc 
trade  opens— An  opportunity  to  return  to  the  States— An  escort  sent  by 
the  Governor  of  Santa  Fe— Captain  Viscano's  dreadful  fight  with  U>e 
Camanches  on  the  Semirone— Several  killed  on  Iwth  sides— The  noc- 
turnal tramp  express  to  Captain  Riley  on  the  Arkansas-Mysterious 
horse  and  thousands  of  mysteries- A  bold  attempt,  result  amusing,  ITO 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

People  of  California— Priest»— Missionary  establishments— Amusements 
—Dull  and  bear  fight»— Immense  number  of  horsea  and  cattle  .  186 


MMiih 


C  O  N  T  K  N  T  S  , 


vu 


CHAPTKR    XVII. 

Deacriplion  of  the  soil,  cliinato,  health,  and   production*  of  Upper 
Culilbrnia 202 

CHAPTER   XVIII. 

Bwita  Fe  Trade 214 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

Pur  trade— The  fate  of  tlie  Tonquin 819 

Appendix 243 


•  Pike— 

of  that 

pend  the 

to  Santa 

.    .  144 

''anta  Fc 

i 

rt  Bent  hy 

with  the 

The  HOC- 

Bing,  170 

" 

^ 

lUMinenta 
tUe  .  186 

.    • 

- 

■MMMMIMM 

i'i 


'11', 


'  .  r 


i; 


"•• 


INTRODUCTION. 


During  a  residence  of  two  years,  1844-45,  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  I  was  occasion- 
ally employed  in  redeeming  a  promise  made  to  an 
editor  of  a  newspaper  in  Virginia,  the  state  from 
which  I  emigrated,  to  send  him  for  hia  paper 
such  materials  of  a  frontier  character,  as  I  might  be 
able  to  pick  up,  and  as  would  form  interesting  com- 
munications for  hia  columns.  When  I  took  up  my 
residence  in  that  State,  I  found  myself  among  a 
people  much  moved  and  stimulated  by  western  en- 
terprise ;  a  people  not  only  familiar  with  frontier 
scenes  and  events,  but  deeply  interested  in  things 
far  beyond  the  limits  of  their  own  state.  Many  of 
them  I  observed  were  engaged  \  the  Santa  Fe 
trade,  and  were  making  their  regular  annual  trips 
across  the  plains  to  New  Mexico.  I  frequently 
sought  the  company  of  sich  gentlemen,  whom  I 
found  not  only  intelligent,  but  kind,  and  ready  to 

m 


INTRODUCTION. 


communicate  any  thing  I  desired.  Some  of  them, 
indeed  all  that  I  met  with,  would  entertain  me  for 
hours  frequently,  with  interesting  accounts  of  their 
difficulties  in  the  various  expeditions  in  which  they 
had  been  engaged.  1  made  it  a  rule  to  note  down 
all  the  important  oral  information,  that  I  was  able 
to  procure.  Several  gentlemen  furnished  me  with 
a  number  of  very  interesting  facts  on  paper,  which 
"wert  of  great  service  to  me  in  the  work  I  now  offer 
to  the  public.  I  soon  found  that  the  materials  ac- 
cumulated on  my  hands  too  fast,  and  in  too  great 
quantity  to  be  published  in  a  newspaper,  at  so 
great  a  distance.  I  also  met  with  a  number  of  men 
who  had  been  to  Oregon  and  California,  and  some 
who  had  spent  several  years  in  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains. From  such  I  drew  a  great  many  interesting 
facts,  which  are  interwoven  in  this  work.  The 
mo3t  interesting,  facts,  however,  that  I  was  able  to 
gather,  I  found  in  an  old  musty,  mutilated  journal, 
kept  by  Captain  Williams,  and  other  papers  fur- 
nished by  Workman  and  Col.  Cooper,  of  Howard 
county,  Missouri,  giving  an  account  of  the  expedi- 
tion, the  history  of  which,  makes  the  greater  part 
of  this  volume,  It  is  due  to  myself  to  state,  that 
these  papers  were  so  badly  written,  and  so  defective 
in  many  respects,  that  I  aimed  simply  to  get  the  facts, 
which  I  always  clothed  in  my  own  words.     Many 


INTRODUCTION.  Xt 

of  the  most  interesting  facts  that  are  interspersed 
through  this  work,  I  procured  in  converaation  with 
gentlemen,  who  as  I  have  said,  had  spent  years  in 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  had  traveled  through 
Oregon  and  California. 

My  reasons  for  offering  an  account  of  Captain 
Williams'  expedition  to  the  public,  are,  that  1  believe 
that  just  at  this  time,  it  would  be  interesting  to  the 
great  majority  of  readers.  Indeed  any  book  detail- 
ing the  trials  and  difficulties  of  those  early  adven- 
turers, will  be  read  with  avii'ty.  Any  publication, 
throwing  any  light  on  that  vast  wilderness  between 
the  States  and  the  Pacific,  and  calculated  to  open  ite 
secrets,  will  be  read  with  interest.  Events  are  now 
transpiring,  that  throw  around  the  regions  of  the 
far  west,  an  interest,  which  they  never  possessed 
before.  The  Oregon  question  is  settled,  and  our  ^ 
citizens  are  going  there  every  summer  season  by 
thousands.  California  is  likely  to  become  ours,  and 
who  will  venture  to  limit  the  number  of  persons 
emigrating  there,  if  it  should  be  attached  to  our  do- 
main? A  mail  route  from  the  Slates  across  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  is  talked  of  in  high  places,  and 
among  the  great  ones  of  our  government ;  and  even 
the  idea  of  a  great  rail- way  across  the  Rocky 
Mountains  has  entered  the  minds  of  some.  Our 
government  will,  doubtless,  soon  adopt  measures  to 
establish  a  cordon  of  military  posts  between  the 


K 


■I      " 


xu 


INTRODUCTION  . 


State  of  Missouri  and  the  settleinenta  on  the  waters 
of  the  Columbia.  Each  one  of  those  posts  will  be 
a  nucleus  around  which  our  adventurous  citizens 
will  be  sure  to  collect  and  form  colonies,  that  will 
expand  anri  cover  the  whole  land.  It  may  be  said 
that  such  enterprises  will  be  beset  with  dangers 
and  trials  and  hardships,  and  these  things  will  de- 
ter men  from  such  undertakings.  But  these  are  the 
very  exciting  causes  that  will  prompt  men  to  bold 
adventure.  Those  frontier  men  are  fond  of  excite- 
ment, and  they  desire  to  be  surrounded  by  exciting 
circumstances.  They  are  even  fond  of  trials  and 
hardbliips  and  dangers,  for  they  stimulate  and  sus- 
tain. Look  at  the  trapper  as  he  dashes  into  a  wil- 
derness full  of  dange; ,  to  pursue  his  favorite  em- 
ployment. He  is  conscious  that  his  undertaking 
is  very  hezardous.  He  is  aware  that  he  is  liable 
to  be  discovered  by  the  savages  every  day,  and  to  be 
cut  off.  As  he  paddles  about  in  his  little  canoe  on 
some  nameless  stream,  he  expects  every  moment  to 
be  surprised  by  the  hideous  yells  of  ruthless  foes, 
from  whom  no  mercy  can  be  expected.  As  he 
passes  along  through  some  solitary  and  dark  ravine 
of  the  mountains,  he  sees  the  bones  and  grinning 
Bkull"  of  his  brethren,  who  were  waylaid  by  the 
savages,  and  fell  by  their  cruel  hand.  He  is 
compelled  to  keep  his  arms  in  his  hands,  night  ps 
well  as  day  ;  nor  does  he  dare  for  one  moment  vO 


INTRODUCTION. 


iii 


le  waters 
ta  will  be 
8  citizens 

that  will 
ly  be  said 
I  dangers 
s  will  de- 
ise  are  the 
n  to  bold 
of  excite- 
Y  exciting 
trials  and 

and  sus- 
ito  a  wil- 
rorite  em- 
dertaking 
e  is  liable 
and  to  be 

canoe  on 
aoment  to 
iless  foes, 
i.  As  he 
u'k  ravine 
1  grinning 
id  by  the 
.  He  is 
I,  night  PS 
loment  „o 


relax  in  hia  vigilance.  If  he  venture  to  close  his 
eyes  in  sleep,  it  is  only  to  snatch  a  morsel  of  rest, 
and  then  to  start  up,  perhaps  to  witness  some  new 
danger  in  his  vicinity.  This  is  a  trapper's  life  ;  a 
life  of  sleepless  vigilance,  of  conbtant  toil  and  dan- 
ger :  and  yet  he  prefers  it  to  any  other  kind  of  life. 
A  strange  infatuation  possesses  him,  that  makes 
him  passionately  fond  of  the  excitement  of  the  wil- 
derness. He  despises  the  dull  uniformity  and  mc 
notony  of  civilized  life,  when  compared  in  his  mind 
with  the  stirring  scenes  of  wild  western  adventure. 
The  security  and  protection  of  the  laws  have  no  at- 
traction for  him  ;  for  he  wants  no  other  means  of 
defence  than  his  rifle,  which  is  his  daily  companion. 
He  is  impatient  of  the  formalities  and  the  galling 
restrictions  of  well  organized  society,  and  prefers 
the  latitude  and  liberty  of  a  life  in  the  woods. 
Seated  by  his  fire,  in  his  camp,  with  a  beaver  tail 
spitted  before  him,  or  feasting  upon  his  buffalo 
tongue,  or  buffalo  beef,  or  buffalo  marrow  bones,  with 
a  piece  of  dry  bark  for  a  plate,  he  lives  better  and 
feels  better,  and  enjoys  his  repast  with  a  better  zest 
than  the  citizen  who  is  surrounded  with  all  the 
comforts  and  luxuries  of  a  metropolis.  • 

As  to  the  statements  that  I  have  made  about 
California,  I  would  mention  that  they  were  fur- 
nished by  men  whose  veracity  I  had  no  right  to 
question.     I  have  not  seen  that  country.     But  if  I 


i; 


jtiv 


INTRODUCTION. 


had,  and  my  account  had  been  made  from  perBonal 
observation,  my  statement,  would  have  been  those 
of  one  man  o.ly.     1  furnish  that  kind  of  represen- 
tation of  CaUfornia  which  speaks  the  larger  aye  of 
a  majority  of  those  who  have  been  there.     I  col- 
lected quite   a  number  of  item^  in  relation  to  the 
climate,  fertility,  and  soil,  and  productions  of  tha 
country,  which  I  withhold  in  this  book,  not  that   1 
disbelieve  them,  but  because  I  was    apprehensive 
that  I  might  be  regarded  as  imposing  too  heavy  a 
tax  on  the  credulity  of  my  readers.     I  know  that 
many  descriptions  of  the  far  west  are  too  highly 
colored  ;  that  many  have  been  misled  by  them,  and 
are  ready  to  deplore  the  hour  they  read  them.    But 
U  seems  to  me  that  men  ought  to  be  able  to  distin- 
guish those  accounts  that  are  extravagant  and  wild 
from  those  that  are  sobe  ■  and  wear  the  aspect  of 
truth.     Again,  there  are  many  persons  who  wil   re- 
ceive any  thing  as  truth,  that  may  be  said  abou    he 
many  and  superior  advantages  in  the  regions  of  the 
west.     It  is  no  wonder,  then,  that  they  are  misled, 
and  do  not  find  things  as  they  exjected,  in  those 
countries.    I  met  with  persons  in  Missouri  who  had 
moved  to  Oregon  and  California;  but  whilst  there 
they  became  dissatisfied,  and  returned  over  a  long 
journey  of  two  thousand  miles.   I  have  also  been  in- 
formed that  many  are  moving  from  Oregon  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  from  California  to  Oregon.    This  only 


»^.iwi.-  i.i|i,.).aWMl|iWiW*l<" 


n  personal 
been  those 
f  repreaen- 
pger  aye  of 
ere.  I  eol- 
ation to  the 
ona  of  that 

not  that   I 
pprehensive 
too  heavy  a 
[  know  that 
5  too  highly 
)y  them,  and 
1  thein.    But 
)le  to  distin- 
int  and  wild, 
e  aspect  of 

who  will  re- 
aid  about  the 
•egiona  of  the 
ly  are  misled, 
uted,  in  those 
ouri,  who  had 
t  whilst  there 
d  over  a  long 
3  also  been  in- 
Iregon  to  Cali- 
ti.    This  only 


»«.iiiiii.iiin>ni)»  wiwmi.   ' 


INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


proves  that  as  long  as  thore  is  any  country  ahead,  or  to 
which  emigrants  can  go,  there  are  some  persons  of 
unsettled  and  dissatisfied  feelings,  who  will  always 
be  traveling.  I  never  ask  information  from  such 
persons  about  the  countries  they  may  have  seen. 

As  to  all  the  representations  then,  in  this  volume, 
I  honestly  believe  that  they  may  be  assumed  as 
credenda,  in  which  every  confidence  may  be  reposed 
by  those  who  may  read  them. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


i' ;  i: 


f' 


-ne- 


THE  LOST  TRAPPERS 


CHAPTER    I. 


\V 


Lewis  and  ('larkc's  fx|)cdition  acroHs  the  RTO:ky  Mountains — their 
efTorts  to  secure  the  friendsliip  of  the  western  tril>es— their  prcscnU 
to  the  natives.  They  ptrsuaile  a  Mandan  chief,  Big  White,  to  de- 
scend the  Missouri  with  them  to  the  States.  Object  of  Captain 
WilHams'  expedition — number  of  men  and  their  outfit — the  route 
they  took — annoyed  by  a  band  of  wolves — one  caught  in  a  'Jwp— 
difficulty  in  regaining  the  trap.  Frontier  mode  of  driving  off  wolve« 
— dose  of  fish-hooks — some  of  the  horses  missing.  The  Mandan 
chief  of  great  service  to  the  party. 

By  those  who  have  read  the  expedition  of  Lewis 
and  Clarke,  acros.s  the  Rocky  mountains,  it  will  be 
remembered  that  they  endeavored,  by  all  possihie 
means,  to  assure  the  many  Indian  tribes  in  the  far 
west,  of  the  kind  feelings  and  intentions  enter- 
tained towards  them  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  desire  of  said  government 
to  create  and  establish  upon  a  permanent  basis, 
those  friendly  relations,  between  the  different  tribes 
themselves  and  the  United  States,  that  were  pre- 
ferable to  these  constant  hostilities  that  then  ex- 
isted, and  would  prove  a  source  of  great  and  almost 
innumerable  blessings  and  benefits  to  all  parties. 
2  i» 


18 


I'll  i:     l.nS  r     lli  \  I'l'K.KS. 


To  i-tl'vct  tliis  tlif  uioiT  rciidily,  tliat  party  took  with 
tliem  a  i-oiif icU'ialilc   aii»)imt  of  inorcliaiulife,  con- 
Biating  of   Hiu'h    articles    an  \v«'r«5   most   likrly   to 
please  thoH»'.  rude  and  unijolishcd  cliil<licn  of  the 
forest.     It  was  also  the  desij^ii  of  L«\vis  and  Clarke, 
to  inij)ress  th(!in  as  far  as  they  could,  with  tlie  num- 
ber, Bt.ren},'th   and    greatness  of  our    people,  that 
they  mi^ht  see  the  importance!  and  advantage  of 
always  beiiij;  at   [)eace  with  such  a  people.     To 
this  end,  on  their  return  ihey  were  anxious  to  bring 
with  them,  to  the  States,  a.H  many  of  the  chiefs  of 
the  dilierent  tribes   as  could  hv   per.-'uaded  to  ac- 
company them.     But  in  this  they  alme.-i  entirely 
failed,  as  the  Indians,  generally,  were  very  suspi- 
cious, and  expressed  their  fears  that  those,  that 
might  go,  would  never  return  to  their  tribes.     Hav- 
ing wintered  among  the  Mandans,  whose  villages 
are  high  up  the  INIissouri  river,  on  their  way  across 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  the  company,  to  some  extent, 
had  gained  the  confidence  of  that  tribe,  and  on  their 
way  home  prevailed  on  one  of  their  chiefs,  Big 
White,  to  go  with  them,  and  to  take  with  him  his 
wife  and  son,  to  sec  our  people  and   President. 
The  Mandans,  at  that  time,  were  at  war  with  the 
Sioux,  a  numerous,  war-like  and  formidable  tribe, 
whose  villages  were  below  on  the  Missouri,  and 
who  would  intercept,  if  they  could,  any  of  the  Man- 
dans going  down  the  river,  and  cut  them  oil'.    This 
fact  was  a  matter  of  much  dread  and  anxiety  to 
the  chief,  Big  White,  and  promised  to  be  an  insu- 
perable barrier  in  the  way ;  but  Capt.  Lewis  placed 
himself  under  every  obligation  to  protect  him,  and 


I  niW>M!|«tlirj::jrL«jwmMill»JMJji)L».*'lM»iJLli*.«y>'<iW«»^^ 


Till:    I.  I  ST   TKvrriiRs. 


10 


took  with 
idifc,  oon- 

likfly  tt) 
en  <}['  tlic 
ml  Clarke, 

tlio  nuiu- 
(iplr,  that 
iiitagi!  oi" 
oj)h'.     To 
la  to  bring 
'  chi»'lH  oi" 
led  to  ac- 
•  i  entin'ly 
ery  suspi- 
hose,  that 
c:*.     Hav- 
ic  villages 
,vay  acrosd 
mc  extent, 
nd  on  their 
ihiels,  Big 
th  him  luB 

PreHident. 
ir  with  the 
lable  tribe, 
jMOuri,  and 
f  the  Man- 
loir.    ThiH 

anxiety  to 
)e  an  insu- 
;wis  placed 
;t  him,  and 


gavo  a  pledge  in  behalf  of  liis  government,  that  a 
comj)any  of  armed  men  should  guard  him  on  his 
return  to  hiw  tribe.  As  this  pletlge  was  redeemed 
by  the  government  of  the  United  ^States,  it  is  our 
purpos<!  in  this  volume  to  give  the  history  of  the 
expedition,  the  olyect  of  which  was,  not  only  to 
guard  the  Mandan  brave  to  his  home  in  tlie  far 
west,  but  to  explore  the  ».  untry  on  the  waters  of 
the  Missouri,  to  trap  for  beaver,  and  even  to  pene- 
trate and  cross  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

It  was  in  the  spring  of  1807,  that  this  expedition 
set  out  from  St.  Louis.  The  party  consisted  of 
twenty  men,  under  the  direction  of  Captain  Ezekiel 
Williams,  a  man  of  great  perseverance,  patience, 
and  much  unflinching  determination  of  character. 
His  men,  being  citizens  of  Missouri,  which  was,  at 
that  early  day,  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness,  were 
all  accustomed  to  the  privations  and  hardships  of  a 
frontier  life,  and  like  most  frontier  men,  fond  of  ad- 
ventures and  daring  enterprises ;  well  skilled  in 
the  use  of  the  ritie,  and  entertaining  a  strong  par- 
tiality for  those  hazards  and  exploits  that  are  pecu- 
liar to  a  frontier  and  savage  life. 

The  outfit  of  each  man  was  a  rifle,  together  with 
as  much  powder  and  lead  as  it  was  supposed 
would  last  for  two  years.  Each  one  took  six  traps, 
which  were  packed  upon  an  extra  horse  with 
which  each  man  was  furnished.  Pistols,  awls,  axes, 
knives,  camp  kettles,  blankets,  and  various  other 
essential  little  articles,  also  made  a  part  of  the 
equipage.  Captain  Williams  provided  himself  with 
an  assortment  of  light  portable  little  notions,  in- 


r    ■ ,  m 


20 


T  II  K     I-  ( »  H  T     T  R  A 


'  K  R  N  . 


tended  aH  prcBents  lor  the  IiulianH.  To  the  expedi- 
tion l)elonged  alao  four  dogH,  (great  tavoritcH  of 
their  maHterH,)  one  of  which  was  a  very  superior 
gray-hound,  that  waa  taken  along  by  his  owner  to 
catch  deer  on  the  plains. 

On  the  25th  of  April  the  party  were  on  their 
way,  exhibiting  all  the  glee,  and  excitement,  and 
laughter,  of  men  enjoying  the  wild  freedom  of  fron- 
tier life,  and  expecting  to  pass  through  scenes  of 
adventure  and  danger  that  would  fully  test  their 
patience  and  courage,  and  perhaps  be  marked  by 
the  effusion  of  blood.     At  that  season  of  the  year, 
there  was  a  sufficiency  of  grass  for  their  hor-ses, 
and  as  for  themselves,  it  was  their  purpose  to  de- 
pend on  their  rifles  for  provisions.      As  it  was  the 
purpose  of  Captain  Williams  to  reach  Fort  Man- 
dan  as  early  in  the  trapping  season  as  practicable, 
thr  party  abandoned  the  meanderings  of  the  Mis- 
souri, and  launched  forth  into  those  seas  of  prairie 
on  the  south  side  of  said  river,  with  no  other  guide 
than  that  very  imperfect  knowledge  which  was  then 
had  of  the  country.     The  expedition  of  Lewis  and 
Clarke  was  confined  to  the  Missouri,  as  they  went 
up  and  came  down.     The  party  headed  by  Captain 
"Williams  was  the  first  overland  expedition  ever 
undertaken  to  and  across  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
fronri  the  United  States.   Some  of  the  party  had  been 
op  the  Missouri  river  som'i  distance,  trading  with 
the  Indians  for  furs,  but  none  of  the  company  had 
any  knowledge  of  the  country  through  which  they 
had  to  pass,  from  personal  observation.     The  diffi- 
culties, therefore,  which  they  had  to  encounter,  were 


Til  K     I,  (1ST     TR  A  IT  MRS. 


le  cxpcdi- 

oritcH  of 

superior 

owner  to 

I  on  their 
nent,  and 
m  of  fron- 
BceneH  of 
test  their 
mrkcd  by 

the  year, 
ir  horses, 
ose  to  de- 
t  was  the 
i'ort  Man- 
racticable, 
f  the  Mis- 

of  prairie 
ther  guide 
1  was  then 
Lewis  and 
they  went 
)y  Captain 
ition  ever 
(fountains, 
y  had  been 
iding  with 
ipany  had 
t^hich  they 

The  diffi- 
mter,  were 


very  numcrouH  and  trying-     l^ut  they  found  the 
Mandan  chitf,  Hig  White,  to  be  of  great  value  to 
them,  as  an  obnervance  of  his  timely  HUggentions 
and  counsel,  very  ofu^n  prevent  hI  the  party  from 
being  entirely  cut  off.      ile   always  urged  upon 
Captain  Williams  the  great  importance  of  constant 
vigilance  day  and  night,  the  strictest  attention  to 
the  position  of  their  encampments,  and  the  situa- 
tion of  their  horses.    The  captain  beamed  from  him, 
that  the  Indian,  although  generally  inclined  to  sur- 
prise, assault,  and  kill,  was  not  given  to  rash  and 
careless  adventure;  and  that  he  would  never  at- 
tack a  party  that  were  prepared  and  on  the  alert. 
About  twenty-five  miles  was  the  distance  they 
traveled  each  day.     When  night  approached,  they 
selected  a  position  to  camp  where  wood,  water,  and 
grass  were  convenient.     Large  fires  for  the    first 
eight  or  ten  nights  were  kindled  up,  around  which 
they  gathered  and  ro»  .ted  their  fat  venison,  and 
ate,  and   laughed,  and   talked,  and    passed  their 
rough  jokes,  until   they  sunk  into  the  embraces 
of  sleep.      This  unguarded  and  careless  way  of 
encamping,  however,  was  abandoned  when    they 
entered  the  region  of  country  infested  with  savage 
and  hostile  bands  of  Indians,  against  whose  assaults 
they  found  it  necessary  to  guard  at  all  times.    For 
the  first  two  hundred  miles,  game  was    not  very 
abundant,  although  they  killed  enough  to  supply 
them  with  provisions.     About  the  twelfth  day,  the 
prairies  seemed  to  enlarge  and  approach  nearer 
the  river.    Timber  was  not  so  abundant.    The  face 
of  the  country  improved  and  was  much  more  in- 


Til  K      LOST     TH  A  I' I' K  U  M  . 


kp 


tcrcHtiiiKi  iiiul  tlic  Hoil  wuh  evUli'iitly  richer  a»  they 
trav«"l«!d  wi'Htwurd. 

Oa   tho  fvniiiif;  of  tlu-   twrH'tli  day,  the  party 
wtTc  cncarnixHl  ia  tlir  cdg»'  oi"  a  bcautilui  prairie 
about  two  hundrrd  and  forty  niii'id  from  iSt.  Louiri, 
liaviuK  croHHfd  tlic  liaHconadf,  tlu  Unago,  and  hcv- 
oral  allluentH  to  tin-  Mirtwouri.     Two  vt-ry  Hue  d«M'r 
•wiire  killfd  by  tumw  of  thf!  company  near  the  en- 
campment, tliu  bh)od   and  entrailo  of  which  at* 
tracted  a  band  of  hungry,  nancy  wolvca  near  the 
company,     There  were  not  h.-Hrt  than   twenty,  of 
Uilferent  nizea  and  coUtr  ;  and  Home  of  the  umullei 
kind,  that  were  crowded  out  of  the  least,  kept  up  i 
very  plaintive  whine  and  howl.     The  dogs  belong 
ing  to  the  company  began  to  bark  very  fiercely, 
and  mulled  out  after  them  and  pursued  them  round 
a  point  of  timber ;  but  aw  noon  as  they  were  out  of 
Bight  of  tin;  company,  the  wolves  turned  upon  their 
purHurrs  and  chased  them  back  within  a  short  dis- 
tance of  th«!  camp.     One  of  the  dogs,  the  most  re- 
solute of  the  pack,  in  a  bold  attempt  to  stand  his 
grou'ui,  was  seized  by   as  many  as  could  get  at 
him,  and  was  torn  to  pieces  almost  instantly.    That 
evj-ning,  on«!  of  the  men  set  one  of  his  traps,  which 
he  baited  by  a  piece  of  venison,  hung  on  a  bush 
immediately  above  the  trap.     In  the  morning,  not 
only  the  venison,  but  the  trap  was  gone,  much  to 
the  surpiise  and  mortilication  of  the  inexperienced 
trap])er,  who,  knowing  but  little  about  the  business, 
had   not  observed  the  precaution  of  fastening  the 
trap  to  something  permanent. 

Whilst  breakfast  was  being  prepared,  and  the 


■H 


T  II  K     1,11  ST     T  II   \  r  r  K  KS 


aa 


it!r  aM  they 

the  party 
I'ui  prairie 

St.  LouiH, 
(',  and  Hcv- 
y  Hue  (leer 
ar  the  en- 
which  at- 
I  near  the 
twenty,  of 
he  Hinuller 
,  kept  up  i' 
igrt  belong - 
ry  llercely, 
hem  round 
/ere  out  of 

upon  their 
I  short  dia- 
le  most  re- 
>  stand  his 
uld  get  at 
itly.  That 
•aps,  which 
on  a  bush 
nrning,  not 
le,  much  to 
xperienced 
le  buftinesK, 
stening  the 

;d,  and  the 


horses  wem  lilling  iheinselves  with  grass,  tlie  un- 
lui^ky  triipper  went  in  tpif^t  "f  his  trii|).      A  wolf 
had  been  (!auu;iit,  mid  us  he  diiiggfd  the  trap  along, 
hu  left  a  very  distinct  truce  in  the  grass,  by  which 
he  was  easily  followed.     Hut  he  had  er«!pt  into  a 
very  tl'ick  putch  of  brush,  inude  almost  iiiipeiietru- 
ble  by  u  rank  growth  of  liuzel.     And  how  was  \hv 
Imp   to   be  recovered?     The   wolf  was  doubtless 
alive,  and  it  would  l)e  very  hazardous  to  attempt  to 
enter  his  place  of  refuge.     An  ellbrt  was  made  to 
encourage  the  dogs  to  go  in,  but  thc^y  recollected 
the  rough  fare  they  experienced  the  previoi-s  eve- 
ning, and  would    not  go  b(7ond  the  edge  of    'he 
thicket.       In    the   midst   of  his    perplexities,   the 
young  trapper  was  reliev«'d  by  the  arrival  of  two 
of  the  company,  one  of  whom  climbed  a  pin-oak 
tree,  that  stood  in  the  edge  of  the  brush,  and  from 
the  top  of  which  he  had  a  fair  view  of  the  formi- 
dable occupant  of  the.  brush-patch,  and  shot  him 
with  his  rille.     .\11  danger  being  now  removed,  the 
dead   wolf  was  dragged   from  his   fastness,  with 
one  of  his  fore  feet  in  the  trap.     Ih;  was  of  the 
largest  kind,  and  almost  black.     As  there  were  no 
wolves  to  be  seen  on  the  prairie  in  the  morning,  it 
was  feared  that  all  of  them  had  been  led  off  by  the 
one  in  the  trap  :  anil  that  trap  and  wolf  would  not 
be  seen  again. 

On  the  I'rontier,  where  wolves  are  very  trouble- 
some, the  following  expedient  is  sometimes  resorted 
to,  to  drive  them  out  of  the  country.  Several  fish- 
hooks are  tied  together  by  their  shanks,  with  a  silk 
thread,  and  put  in  a  piece  of  fresh  meat,  vyhich  is 


1  r!  v-j 


mm 


w 


T  H  E     I,  (>  S  T     T  n  A  I"  r  K  R  S  . 


dropped  where  it  is  likely  to  be  found  by  them.  The 
hooks  are  buried  completely  in  the  meat  and  made 
very  fast  to  prevent  the  w^olf  from  shaking  them 
off;  for  it  is  said  by  those  acquainted  with  the 
habits  of  wolves,  that  they  never  eat  a  morsel  of 
any  thing  without  first  picking  it  up  very  cautiously 
and  giving  it  a  shake.  When  the  piece  of  meat  is 
swallowed,  the  hooks  generally  stick  fast  in  the 
throat,  inflicting  the  most  excruciating  pain.  The 
unlucky  wolf  immediately  begins  to  scratch  and 
tear  his  neck,  and  howl  most  piteously.  In  this 
condition  he  hurries  away  from  the  place  of  his 
great  mishap,  running,  and  raving,  and  scratching, 
and  howling.  Curiosity  and  fellow-feeling,  or  some 
other  feeling,  equally  active,  prompts  every  other 
wolf  in  sight  and  in  hearing,  to  follow.  Away  the 
gang  goes,  increasing  as  it  goes,  until  every  wolf 
in  the  vicinity  of  their  route  is  taken  in,  and  taken 
away  perhaps  fifty  miles  frojn  the  place  where  the 
matter  began. 

On  the  evening  of  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  ex- 
pedition, which  was  the  ninth  of  May,  another 
little  misl  ip  took  place,  which  created  some  anx- 
iety of  mind  and  loss  of  time.  Five  of  tlie  hor.-<es 
were  missing.  The  party,  at  first,  were  inclined 
to  think  they  were  taken  by  the  Indians  ;  but,  as 
yet,  they  had  not  apprehended  any  thing  of  this 
kind,  as  they  had  not  reached  the  country  beset 
with  danger.  The  horses,  perhaps,  had  broken 
their  fetters  and  straggled  off".  Big  White  told  them 
that  their  horses  were  not  stolen  ;  that  Indians 
could  have  stolen  all  of  them  as  easily,  if  not  rnorc 


II  iiMji  ■jiLiLgBii'<iii»!ij»<;jWi|W-i|Mj.i'- 


■ff'vjisiff'tp.imt'msKvvtiitsjsitmtt* 


^ 


them.    The 

;  and  made 

■king  them 

1  with  the 

morsel  of 

cautiously 

of  meat  is 

fast  in  the 

)ain.      The 

cratch  and 

y.      In  this 

lace  of  his 

scratching, 

ng,  or  some 

ivery  other 

Away  the 

every  wolf 

I  and  taken 

!  where  the 

r  of  the  ex- 
ly,  another 
some  anx- 
r  tlie  horties 
re  inclined 
ns  ;  but,  as 
ling  of  this 
untry  beact 
lad  broken 
:e  told  them 
lat  Indians 
if  not  more 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS.  g| 

easily  than  five,  and  if  they  had  taken  five,  they 
would  have  taken  all.  This  very  reasonable  sug- 
gestion of  one  well  acquainted  with  the  practices 
and  customs  of  Indians,  prompted  the  men  to  make 
an  effort  to  find  them.  Their  trail  was  soon  found 
in  the  grass,  and  was  made  very  plain  by  the  dew. 
It  led  back,  the  way  the  party  came.  The  horses 
had,  by  some  means,  cleared  themselves  of  their 
shackles,  and  were  now  striking  for  home ;  and  it 
was  not  until  evening  that  they  were  overtaken 
and  brought  back. 

A  day  was  lost,  but  the  company,  by  the  circum- 
stance, were  taught  the  importance  of  being  more 
cautious,  particularly  at  night.    The  Mandan  chief 
also  took  occasion  to  allude  to  that  which  had  been 
a  matter  of  much  anxious  concern,  to  his  mind. 
He  told  them,  that  thus  far  they  had  been  on  safe 
ground,  and  that  no  harm  might  result  from  the  ab- 
sence of  that  vigilance  and  caution,  that  elsewhere 
would  be  indispensable  for  their  safety.    An  Indian 
by  birth  and  education,  he  knew  the  habits  and 
practices  of  the  different  tribes  in  the  far  west, 
much  bett<  ;■  than  any  of  the  party.     Their  journey 
was  long,  very  long,  and  led  through  a  country-  oc- 
cupied by  tribes  that  would  waylay  them  in  every 
ravine,  and  watch  their  movements  from  the  top  of 
every  eminence,  for  the  purpose  of  surprising  them 
and  taking  their  equipage,  horses,  and  perhaps 
scalps.     The  counsel  of  the  venerable  warrior,  de- 
livered with  great  earnest  less  and  Indian  gravity, 
had  its  effect.     The  company  adopted  the  plan  of 
journeying  until  about  an  hour  before  sunset,  when 
8  ^ 


^ 


MS 


THE     LOST     TRAPPKRS. 

they  came  to  a  halt,  relieved  their  hor«es  of  their 
burdens,  and  turned  them  out  to  gras«.      In  Ae 
mean  time,  a  fire  was  Bt-uek,  and  repast  for  the 
men  prepared.    About  dark  the  horses  were  brought 
in,  and  saddles  and  baggage  placed  upon  them. 
The  fires  were  renewed,  and  the  company  would 
then  spring  into  their  saddles  and  push  on  some 
eight  or  ten  miles  further :  where  they  would  come 
to  a  second  stop,  relieve  their  hor.es  of  their  bur- 
dens, tether  them,  and  station  their  guards.      1  ley 
divided  the  night  into  four  watches,  and  each  watch 
was  kept  by  three  men,  whilst  the  others,  wrapped 
up   in   their   blankets,   were    reposing    upon    the 
J-ound.     Fires  were  not  raised,  as  the  light  could 
be  seen   at  a   great  distance  en  those  extensive 
prairies,  and  might  betray  them  into  the  hands  of 
Bome  lurking  foe.  .  .    /•     u 

In  the  morning,  some  moved  the  ho'^^^  «  f^^^ 
grass,  that  they  might  the  more  easily  fiU  them- 
selves ;  whilst  others  were  expediting  their  morn- 
ing repast,  and  attending  to  the  other  offices  be- 
longing to  an  encampment.  By  sunrise,  generally, 
they  were  going  ahead. 


J,- Of)?' 


*    *J»»5i!H-,     i" 


i.mM«H''*'W»lliH"W--i|»»Wt"*'Wi'Uiii-;-  -,■ 


** 


1  of  their 
In  the 
it  for  the 
■e  brought 
on  them, 
my  would 

on  some 
Duld  come 
their  bur- 
ls. T'ley 
ach  watch 
I,  wrapped 
upon  the 
light  could 

extensive 
e  handa  of 

ses  to  fresh 
J  fill  them- 
their  morn- 
offices  be- 
3,  generally, 


CHAPTER  II. 


to->i#t.- 


KAirsis  Indians  and  Kansaii  river — Signs  of  buflalo— Speed  of  the  An- 
telope— A  hunting  party  of  the  Kansas — A  man  frightened  in  a 
dream.  Kansas  l)riivcs  visit  Captain  Williams'  camp — The  company 
visit  the  Kansas  village,  and  are  received  with  grcot  parade — Kind 
feelings  of  the  tribe  for  the  party.  A  buffali)  hunt  on  bond — Kansas 
were  experienced  horsemen  and  hunters—  Uufliilo  plenty,  and  a  great 
hunt — The  grace  and  spirit  of  the  Indians  in  the  hunt. 

In  the  journal  before  me,  nothing  is  noted  of 
much  importance,  until  they  reached  the  Kansas 
river,  an  affluent  to  the  Missouri.  This  river  rises 
in  the  plains  west,  and  runs  east  into  the  Mis- 
souri. It  is  about  three  hundred  and  thirty  yards 
wide.  The  party  were  able  to  ford  it.  When  they 
were  about  ten  miles  from  this  river,  they  saw,  as 
they  thought,  several  Indians ;  but  they  soon  lost 
eight  of  them.  As  they  approached  the  Kansas, 
they  observed  a  great  many  horse  tracks,  some  of 
which  were  very  fresh,  and  several  places  w^here 
buflalo  had  been  killed  by  the  Indians.  They  were 
evidently  in  the  neighborhood  of  Indian  villages. 
Big  White  said  they  were  the  Kansas  tribe,  a  fierce 
and  warlike  nation.  They  had  lived  higher  up  the 
Missouri,  where  they  were  involved  in  a  number  of 
unfortunate  wars  with  some  of  the  neighboring 
tribes,  which  nearly  resulted  in  their  extinction. 
They  had  been  nearly  broken  down,  and  lout  quite 

^  27 


'  i  i: 


28 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


'm 


Vvi 


m 


'■ht 


a  number  of  their  braves.    They  were  driven  down 
towards  the  Kansas,  about  one  hundred  miles. 
There  was  much  sign  of  buffalo,  and  the  men  were 
anxious  to  engage  in  a  buffalo  hunt.    Two  ante- 
lopes were  seen  on  the  prairies,  wheeling  and 
prancing  about,  and  gazing  upor  the  party  with 
much  curiosity.     As  the  men  had  heard  a  great 
deal  about  the  speed  of  this  animal,  a  general  de- 
sire was  expressed  to  test  the  relative  speed  of  the 
gray-hound  and   the  antelope,  as  an  opportunity 
now  presented.      Accordingly  the  dog  was  started, 
and  the  antelopes  suffered  him  to  get  within  fifty 
yards  of  them.     They  then  wheeled,  and  put  off; 
and  the  space  between  them  and  the  dog  widened 
so  fast,  that  the  latter  stopped  suddenly,  apparcntiy 
abashed   and  disappointed,  and  returned  to  the 
company.     All  descriptions  of  this  beautiful  ani- 
mal represent  its  speed  as  not  only  very  great,  but 
equal,  if  not  superior,  to  that  of  any  other  animal 
in  the  world.     Its  motions  arc  very  graceful  and 
easy,  and  made  without  any  visible  effort.    It  runs 
very  level,  and  as  it  moves  over  the  plains,  it  seems 
to  fly  rather  than  i-un. 

The  company  encamped  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Kansas  river,  and  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  it, 
on  the  border  of  a  prairie.  They  had  not  been 
there  long  before  they  saw  a  small  party  of  Kansas 
Indians,  passing  not  very  far  from  the  company. 
*  Some  of  the  men  approached  them,  making  signs 
of  friendship,  and  induced  them  to  come  to  the 
camp.  They  cast  very  inquisitive  looks  upon  the 
white  men,  and  at  first  seemed  rather  alarmed; 


iMfciimi*  AW  w: 


THE    LOST    TRAPPEBS. 


20 


n  down 
,  miles, 
en  were 
o  ante- 
ing  and 
rty  with 
a  great 
leral  de- 
;d  of  the 
(ortunity 
started, 
thin  fifty 
put  off; 
-widened 
>parcntly 
i  to  the 
ciful  ani- 
^eat,  but 
ir  animal 
seful  and 
It  runs 
,  it  eeema 

ide  of  the 
f  from  it, 
not  been 
af  Kansas 
company, 
(ing  signs 
ae  to  the 
upon  the 
alarmed; 


but  the  kindness  of  the  party  towards  them  soon 
dispelled  their  fears.  By  the  aid  of  the  Mandan 
chief,  who  partially  understood  t'leir  language,  and 
acted  as  a  kind  of  interpreter,  Oaptain  Williams 
learned  that  they  belonged  to  the  Kansas  nation, 
and  had  been  out  on  a  hunt  to  procure  buffalo 
meat.  They  represented  one  of  their  villages  as 
being  about  six  miles  down  the  Kansas  river. 
With  a  view  of  securing  their  friendship.  Captain 
Williams  gave  them  several  little  presents,  with 
which  they  were  grsatly  pleased.  In  return,  they 
gave  Captain  Williams  some  buffalo  meat,  upon 
which  his  men  feasted  very  heartily  that  night. 
Big  White,  acting  in  behalf  of  the  company,  sent 
word  to  the  chiefs  that  the  party  would  visit  their 
village  the  next  day.  It  was  deemed  advisable  by 
the  men  to  take  every  pains  to  secure  the  horses, 
and  to  be  prepared  for  any  emergency. 

A  very  amusing  circumstance  occurred  during  tl>d 
night.  One  of  the  men,  who  in  all  probability  had 
overloaded  his  stomach  with  buffalo  meat,  and 
whose  mind,  perhaps,  had  been  haunted,  in  day 
time, by  frightful  visions  of  Indians,  suddenly  started 
up,  shouting  "  Indians,  Indians,  Indians  ;  yonder 
they  are — shoot,  shoot ;"  at  the  same  time  running 
back  and  forth,  and  making  the  most  violent  ges- 
tures. In  a  moment  all  were  wide  awake,  and  in 
another  moment,  all  were  in  possession  of  their 
arms.  The  guard  rushed  in  to  see  what  was 
wrong.  The  very  dogs  partook  of  the  excitement 
and  barked  fiercely.  The  frantic  vociferations  of 
the  frightened  man  continued — "  Indians,  Indians, 


/. 


i 


mil 


i'i 


^  THEI.  OSTTRAPPERS. 

Indiana."  "And  where  are  they?"  was  asked  every 
where.  It  wan,  however,  soon  discovered  that  the 
fellow  was  asleep  and  dreaming ;  and  a  camp-ket- 
tle full  of  water  was  thrown  into  his  face,  which 
brought  him  to  his  right  mind.  It  was  sometime 
before  quietude  and  sleep  resumed  their  reign  in  the 
camp.  The  next  morning  the  frightened  dreamer 
and  his  dream  was  quite  a  laughing  stock  and 
matter  of  much  amusement.  As  he  was  compelled 
to  tell  his  dream,  he  said  that  he  thought,  the  com- 
pany had  come  in  contact  with  a  band  of  hostile 
Indians,  with  whom  they  were  about  to  have  a 
difficulty,  but  his  unpleasant  dream  was  interrupted 
by  the  cold  water,  that  was  thrown  into  his  face. 

After  breakfast,  the  principal  chiefs  and  several 
of    the    warriors    of   the    Kansas    came    to    the 
camp  on  horseback.     Captain   Williams  received 
them  with  very  marked  respect  and  kindness.     The 
pipe  of  peace  was  passed  round.     The  object  of 
the  expedition  was  explained,  and   several    little 
articles   were  given  to  them  by  the  captain.     As 
they  had  heard  of   Big  White  going  down  with 
Lewis  and  Clarke,  they  very  much  admired  the  c^^n- 
duct  of  the  whites  in  being  thus  true  to  their  prom- 
ises by  taking  the  Mandan  brave  back  to  his  people. 
This  circumstance  induced  them  to  repose  great 
cor.ridence  in  the  party,  and  to  place  the  most  im- 
plicit faith  in  all  their  statements.   The  party  agreed 
to  accompany  the  Kansas  to  their  village,  as  the 
men  were  generally  anxious  to  join  them  in  a  buf- 
falo hunt.     As  they  went  to  their  village  the  Kan- 
sas asked  Big  White  a  thousand  questions  about 


'»i)i^twj|'ii'<U!iyu|iiW«|<j«M".<M.i'iW»Wi»'M»'.-^.gia)rttii« 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


8t 


sked  every 
id  that  the 
camp-ket- 
ace,  which 
!  sometime 
eign  in  the 
d  dreamer 
stock  and 
compelled 
t,  the  com- 
I  of  hostile 
to   have  a 
interrupted 
his  face, 
and  several 
[ne    to    the 
na  received 
[ness.     The 
le  object  of 
iveral   little 
iptain.     As 
down  with 
red  the  ctm- 
their  prom- 
)  his  people, 
epose  great 
he  most  im- 
party  agreed 
lage,  as  the 
sm  in  a  buf- 
ge  the  Kan- 
stions  about 


the  country  he  4iad  recently  visited,  and  seemed 
greatly  interested  with  his  answers.     They  gath- 
ered around  him  and  received  the  information  they 
sought  for  with  a  great  deal  of  avidity.     Capt.  Wil- 
liams expressed  a  desire  to  salute  the  village  with 
a  round  or  two  from  their  ritles.     As  the  Kansas 
had  a  few  fire  arms,  they  expressed  a  wish  to  re- 
turn the  salutes,  but  they  had  nothing  to  make  their 
arms  talk,hy  this  meaning  they  had  no  ammunition. 
Capt.  Williams  therefore  gave  them  some  powder, 
with  which  one  of  their  warriors  hurried  off  to  the 
village  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements.  When 
the  party  came  in  view  of  the  village,  all  the  women 
and  children  were  out  of  their  wigwams  and  looked 
wild    and   much  affrighted.     Their  men  had  ad- 
vanced a  little,  out  from  the  village,  and  from  their 
few  fire  arms   answered  to  the  salutes  of  Captain 
Williams'  men.     When  this  ceremony  was  over, 
by  which   the  chiefs  and  warriors  seemed  to  feel 
themselves   much    honored,    the   party,   including 
Big  White,  his  wife  and  son,  were  conducted  to 
lodges  fitted  up  expressly  for  their  reception.     The 
pipe,  according  to  a  uniform  practice  among  the 
tribes  in  the  far  west,  was  passed  around.     Captain 
Williams  renewed  his  eflbrts  to  secure  their  good 
will  by  distributing  among  them  a  few  of  such  ar- 
ticles  as  were  most  likely  to  please.     The  kind 
feelings  of  the  Kansas  were  manifested  by  serving 
the  company  with  the  best  they  had  and  in  great 
profusion ;  such  as  the  meat  of  buffalo,  deer  and  the 
antelope,  beside  several  kinds  of  roots.     Big  White 
made  a  speech,  in  which  he  alluded  to  the  kindness 


'I 


82 


THE    LOST    TBAPPERS. 


•hi 


with  which  he  was  received  by  his  white  brothers, 
and  their  great  riches  and  number  and  strength. 
He  advised  them  to  cultivate  the  most  friendly  re- 
lations with  his  white  brothers  and  their  father  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  as  they  would  fur- 
nish his  poor  red  brothers  with  every  thing  they 
wanted  ;  such  as  knives,  guns,  powder,  lead,  blan- 
kets, whisky.  He  advised  them  to  go  and  see  their 
white  brothers.  Nearly  the  whole  of  the  night  was 
spent  by  the  Kansas  in  putting  questions  to  the 
Mandans,  particularly  the  Chief,  about  his  trip  tu 
the  land  of  the  pale  faces. 

Captain  Williams  and  his  party  reBolv<;d  to  spend 
two  or  three  days  with  this  tribe,  to  take  a  buffalo 
hunt,  and  arrangements  were  made  with  the  ir.ansas 
to  take  the  hunt  the  next  day.  The  plains  were 
■aid  to  be  darkened  with  thousands  and  thousands 
of  buffalo,  not  more  than  twenty  miles  from  th'^ir 
village.  They  had  not  been  frightened,  and  were  in 
all  probability,  in  the  same  neighborhood  yet.  Ac- 
cordingly early  the  next  morning,  ten  Kansas  hun- 
ters on  horseback,  with  spears  and  bows  and  ar- 
rows, with  the  same  number  of  Captain  Williams' 
men,  set  out  for  the  buffalo  ground.  The  Indians 
were  not  only  good  hunters,  but  very  superior  horse 
men.  Their  horses  too  were  familiarized  to  buffalo- 
hunts  and  buffalo  baits,  and  well  trained  in  all  those 
dexterous  movements  to  be  practised  in  a  buffalo- 
battle. 

Not  so  with  Captain  Williams'  men.  Most  of 
them  had  never  seen  a  buffalo,  and  their  horses 
were  as  inexperienced  as  their  riders ;  and  horses 


■■^.■.,,.  •r^mss/H-tmmitiSi'JUf.  ssm^'-UK-.-- 


3  brothers, 
strength, 
iendly  re- 
father  the 
vould  fur- 
liing  they 
ead,  blan- 
l  see  their 
night  was 
ns  to  the 
lia  trip  to 

cl  to  spend 
a  buffalo 
le  ir.ansas 
aina  were 
thousands 
from  th^ir 
id  were  in 
yet.  Ac- 
nsas  hun- 
s  and  ar- 
WilHama' 
e  Indiana 
Tior  horse 
;o  bufTalo- 
1  all  those 
a  buiTalo- 

Most  of 
;ir  horaes 
nd  horses 


THE    LOST    T«AFFB««.  «» 

are  generally  very  much  frightened  the  first  time 
they  are  rode  into  a  hunt  of  this  kind.  And  then 
again,  they  had  to  use  rifles,  which  are  a  kind  of 
arms,  too  unwieldy  and  ponderous  for  such  bu- 
siness. Inexperienced  men,  too,  are  very  apt  to 
become  too  much  excited  and  run  themselves  into 
dangers  from  which  it  is  difficult  if  not  impossible 
to  extricate  themselves.  Untried  men,  therefore, 
upon  untried  horses,  with  unhandy  arms  and  greatly 
excited  in  the  bargain,  are  very  apt  to  fail  in  their 
first  attempts  to  kill  buffalo ;  if  they  do  not  share  a 
worse  fate  than  simply  a  failure.  For  it  often  hap- 
pens that  horse  and  horseman  are  killed. 

After  sweeping  over  the  prairie  for  twelve  miles, 
the  hunting  party  came  to  a  halt,  to  hold  a  confer- 
ence about  their  future  movements.  They  believed 
they  were  in  the  vicinity  of  the  buffalo.  Two  of 
the  Kansas  hunters  were  sent  ahead  to  reconnoitre 
the  plains,  and  report  by  signs  when  they  saw  the 
buffalo.  They  set  off  at  a  brisk  hand-gallop  upon 
their  ponies,  whilst  the  company  moved  along  more 
at  their  leisure.  In  less  than  an  hour,  the  two 
Kansas  were  seen  on  an  eminence,  making  signs 
that  the  buffalo  were  in  view.  The  party  rushed 
up  and  they  saw  the  buffalo  within  a  mile  in  thou- 
sands, all  quiet  and  feeding  on  the  plains.  The 
men  dismounted  and  girthed  their  saddles  more 
securely,  and  adjusting  their  arms  for  the  attack, 
sprung  again  into  their  saddles,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  were  in  the  outskirts  of  the  multitudinous 
herd.  Each  man  selected  his  object  and  dashed 
after  it.    The  Indians  picked  out  the  males,  as  they 


;1  i 


T  II  K     I.  <)  S  T    TRAPPERS. 

were  flitter  than  tlio  cowh,  which,  at  that  Hcanon, 
had  their  ciilveH.     la  a  monient  the  innumerable 
multitiule  were  in  iiiDlion,  frightened  by  the  horri- 
ble yelling  of  tlie  Kan.-*ari    IndiuiiH,  and  men  and 
horaes  and  bullalo  wji-e  seen  in  every  dir«iction. 
The  very  plains  seemed  to  treiul)le,  and  tlie  rumbling 
Bound  created  by  the  running  of  the  bullalo  resem- 
bled distant  thunder,  and  c<»uld  be  heard  for  many 
miles.     The  Indians  seemed  to  be  perfectly  at  home 
when  mounted  on  horseback  and   ilashing  among 
the    bullalo,  shooting   tiieir   siiarp-pointed  arrows, 
and   launching   their   spears.      Their   horses    too 
seemed  to  understand  the  business.     Tiiey  would 
advance   close    up  to  the  bullalo,  and  when  they 
heard  the  twang  of  the  bow,  that  sped  tin;  arrow, 
they  would  wheel  and  bound  oil".     When  thc^y  per- 
ceived that  they  had  shot  an  arrow  and  launched  a 
spear  in  a  fatal  place,  the  Kansas  would  abandon 
the  bleeding  victim  to  di«s  an«l  dash  after  another. 
In  this  way  they  continued  for  an  hour,  when  men 
and  horses  were  overcome  by  labor  and  fatigue. 
Some  ten  or  twelve  bulls  lay  bleeding  on  the  plains, 
some  dead  and  others  badly  wounded.  C  ptain  Wil- 
liams' men,  not  being   able  to  manage  their  riilcs 
and  horses,  failed  to  accompli.-'h  anything.     Indeed, 
one  of  their  horses  took  fright  and  ran  avay,  a  mile 
or  two  from  the  scene  of  action,  before  the  rider 
was  able  to  stop  hiin.     Another  hurled  his  rider 
with  violence  from  his  saddle,  upon  the  ground.    A 
third  one  rushed  upon  an  infuriated  bull,  that  one 
of  the  Kansas  had  wounded,  and  had  his  entrails 
torn  out  by  his  horns,  and  was  left  dead  on  the 


,i,MMB'cl-MtfWffiBt.'fME«>;'^^^%''»'-^gilM'll»J't.iWi'.''»Wtf^ 


!,|-'1 


TIIK     I.OHT     TRAPPRB8. 


3» 


at  HCUHon, 
iiuinfTublc 
tlic  horri- 
iiu'ii  unci 
dirrutiun. 
L^  rumbling 
rilo  reocni- 
1  lor  many 
ly  ut  home 
ng  among 
id  arrows, 
orsca    too 
hoy  would 
,vhfin  thi-y 
tlu!  arrow, 
I  th(!y  pcr- 
launchod  a 
d  abandon 
!r  another, 
when  men 
id  lutigue. 
the  plains, 
ptain  Wil- 
their  rillcs 
J.     Indeed, 
vay,  a  mile 
e  the  rider 
d  his  rider 
ground.    A 
11,  that  one 
his  entrails 
iau  on  the 


ground,  his  chagrined  and  deeply   mortified  rider 
being  leil  to  loot  it  back  to  the  camp.     The  chanc 
being  tinded,  the   party  went  to  work  to  dif*patch 
those  that  were  wounded,  whijh,  by  the  way,  wan 
accompanied  with  no  little  tlnnger.     Some  of  the 
bulla  were  very  furious,  and  made  desperate  bounds 
at  the   horses,  and  even  |mrsucd   them.     (Captain 
Williams  observed,  that  the    Indians   exercised  a 
great  deal    of  coolness  and  judgment.     They  re- 
served  their  arrows,  until  they  were  able  to  make 
n  sure  and  ellective  shot.     They  always  aimed  to 
launch  their  spears  and  arrows  behind  the  ribs,  so 
as  to  range  forward  and  in  this  way  [Jenetrate  the 
vitals.     A  single  arrow,  in  several  instances,  would 
dispatch  a  large  bull,  and  when  the  carcasses  were 
opened  by   the  Indians  to  get  their  arrows,  they 
were  found  to  have  passed  from  the  flank,  obliquely 
through  the  body,  and  lodged  against  some  of  the 
bones  on  the  opposite  side.     It  is  very  common,  for 
an  arrow  to  pass  completely  through  the  body,  when 
it  does  not  strike  a  bone.     The  points  of  their  ar- 
rows  and   spears  are   made  of  iron  and  steel,  pro- 
cured of  the  whites,  and  nmde  very  sharp.     Their 
bows   are    sometimes    made    of  wood,  but  their 
strongest  and   most  eflicient  weapons  of  this  kind 
are  made  of  pieces  of  bone  and  horn  spliced  and  glued 
together,  and  are  strung   with  sin«ws  of  buHVilo. 
Their  spears  are  generally  eight  or  ten  feet  long, 
including  the  handle,  which  is  made  of  light  elastic 
wood,  and   wrapped  with  the  sinew.>(   of  butlalo. 
Having  taken  as  much  of  the  choicest  portions  of 
the  meat  as  they  could  carry,  the  party  turned  their 


f 


M  TMB   LOiT  TiArriia. 

facet  toward  the  Kanaaa  village.  But  as  it  was 
late  in  the  afternoon  before  they  set  off,  they  railed 
a  fire,  around  which  they  prepared  their  hunter's  re- 
past, the  horseH  at  the  same  time  being  permitted 
to  rafreah  themselves  upon  the  grass.  They  trav- 
eled about  eight  miles  fl-om  their  grand  scamper, 
that  evening,  and  then  stopped,  until  the  next 
morning,  when  very  early  they  reached  the  Kansas 
village,  richly  ladened  with  fat  buffalo  meat,  it  was 
true,  but  mnu$  a  very  fine  horse. 


— <»!!l{taiMimH><ti<J.il.''-'vW->W.--vl..4'!;! 


BW'w'f' 


mm 


;  as  it  WM 
they  railed 
iiunter'i  re- 
;  permitted 
They  trav- 
id  icainper, 
1  the  next 
the  Kaniaa 
neat,  it  was 


* 


CHAPTER  III. 

A  HACK  bMT  it  kUW.  A  tftde,  •  horns  for  •  dog— A  iwnorain»--TlM 
party  orwUken  by  the  dog  twdwl  to  th«  chirf— IliBy  mmi  •  miwU 
pnty  of  KtnaM,  by  whom  tho  reiMgado  dog  b  Nturaed  to  hi*  owner 
—Running  oT  bulMo,  tnd  danger  lo  be  •pprehended— The  plui  to 
•void  it— VeM  number  of  buflalo.  A  nwn  loet— Hie  critical  situation 
—He  ia  found  the  neit  day— Hii  report  of  hia  night  in  the  prairie. 

Whilot  among  the  Kansas,  Captain  Williams' 
men  were  informed  that  a  large  black  bear  had 
been  frequently  seen  on  an  island  in  the  river,  about 
a  mile  from  the  village,  and  that  several  efforts 
made  by  the  Indians  to  take  him  had  been  unsuc- 
cessful. There  was  a  dense  thicket  of  plum  bushes 
and  haiel,  to  which  he  always  betook  himself  when 
assailed,  and  into  which  his  pursuers  thought  it 
unsafe  to  follow  him.  As  the  dogs  belonging  to 
the  expedition  were  trained  to  hunt  such  game, 
they  were  taken  across  the  river  to  the  island  by 
some  of  the  men.  A  number  of  the  Kansas  went 
with  them  to  witness  the  performance  of  the  dogs, 
which  they  were  disposed  very  much  to  admire  for 
their  superior  size.  Within  a  very  short  time,  the 
bear  was  started  from  his  hitherto  safe  retreat,  and 
being  pursued  closely,  and  now  and  then  nipped 
by  the  dogs,  took  a  tree.  One  of  the  men  shot  him. 
He  was  uncommonly  large  and  very  fat,  and  fur- 
nished a  fine  repast  for  the  company  that  night. 

87 


■;,!J' 


li 


m 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


The  Kansas  were  delighted  with  the  courage  of 
the  dogs,  and  the  principal  chief  of  the  village  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  purchase  one  of  them.    He  gave 
Captain  Williams  to  understand  that  he  would  give 
him  a  fine  young  horse  in  exchange  for  a  large 
mastiff,  for  which  he  took  a  particular  fancy.     As 
the  party  had  began  to  consider  the  canine  part  of 
the  expedition  as  not  only  useless,  but  calcu  ated 
by  their  barking  to  betray  them  into  the  hands  of 
lurking   parties  of   Indians,  a  bargain  was  soon 
struck.     The  chief  took  his  dog,  and  Captam  VVil- 
Uams  his  hor.e,  both  alike  well  pleased  with  their 
trade.      The  village   generally  seemed   delighted 
with  the  new  acquisition  of  an  animal  so  much 
superior,  in  every  way,  to  the  small  half-tarv^.d 
half-wolf,  roguish-looking   breed,  which  they  had 
in  their  village.    Indiai  dogs  seem  to  be  wolves  of 
the  smaller  kind  domesticated,  and  are  of  no  value 
except  to  those  tribes  who  have  no  horses.    By  such 
poor  wretches  they  are  frequently  usea  to  convey 

^""nrvTng  passed  three  days  with  this  tribe,  Captain 
Williams    resumed   his    journey    with    his    men, 
greeted  with  the  best  wishes  of  these  unsophistica- 
ted children  of  nature,  for  their  iuture  good  luck. 
He  was  advised  by  Big  White  to  bear  more  to  the 
west,  to  avoid  the  broken,  hilly  country  near  the 
Missouri,  and  to  avoid  the  difficulty  sometimes  ex- 
perienced   in   crossing   its   tributaries   near  their 
mouths.     The  hostile  parties  of  Indians,  too,  with 
whon.  they  might  fall  in,  would  not  be  very  '  u-ge, 
and  of  course  less  formidable,  as  their  villages  gen- 


■ir 


courage  of 
village  ex- 
a.    He  gave 
!  would  give 
for  a  large 
•  fancy.     As 
nine  part  of 
It  calculated 
he  hands  of 
n  was  soon 
Captain  Wil- 
ed with  thfir 
ed   delighted 
nal  so  much 
half-starv?d, 
ich  they  had 
be  wolves  of 
i  of  no  value, 
•ses.    By  such 
ed  to  convey 

tribe,  Captain 
ith    his    men, 

unsophistica- 
re  good  luck, 
ar  more  to  the 
intry  near  the 
sometimes  ex- 
es near  their 
ians,  too,  with 

be  very  '  u-ge, 
r  villages  gen- 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS.  MP 

erally  were  near  the  Missouri.  Captain  Williams, 
therefore,  determined  to  cross  the  Platte,  a  short 
distance  below  the  junction  of  the  north  and  south 
forks,  and  pursued  his  course  accordingly.  The 
company  traveled  over  a  dry,  elevated,  rich  prairie 
country.  Buffalo  were  seen  in  great  numbers, 
pjlk,  deer,  and  the  antelope  were  frequently  to  be 
seen,  scampering  and  curveting,  and  sometimes 
gazing  with  wild  curiosity  upon  the  company  as 
they  pEisaed  along.  Frequent  signs  of  Indians  wee 
seen  through  the  day.  but  the  fears  of  the  party 
were  not  excited,  as  they  were  made,  in  all  proba- 
bility, by  the  hunting  parties  of  the  Kansas. 

An  hour  before  sunset  the  company  came  to  a 
halt  to  refresh  themselves  and  horses.  This  eve- 
ning the  dog  that  had  been  exchanged  for  a  .horse 
overtook  them,  and  s<'emed  much  pleased  with  re- 
joining his  old  acquaintances.  There  was  a  piece 
of  ra-v  hide  attached  to  his  neck,  by  which  he  had 
been  tied,  and  which  he  had  cut,  and  in  this  way 
made  his  escape.  How  he  passed,  without  being 
attacked  by  wolves  and  torn  to  pieces,  was  a  mat- 
ter of  surprise  to  the  party,  who  had  observed  that 
wolves  were  very  numerous.  At  dark  a  light  was 
observed  across  the  prairie,  which  was  most  likely 
that  of  an  Indian  camp.  The  company  put  out 
their  fires,  mounted  their  horses,  an-'  traveled  eight 
or  ten  miles  further,  aiid  then  unpacked  and  fet- 
tered their  horses,  and  turned  them  out  to  graze, 
whilst  they  wrapped  themselves  up  in  their  blan- 
kets and  laid  themselves  down  to  sleep.  The  light 
of  the  ensu'ng  morning  revealed  to  the  men  the 


•I  ■ 


!      i 


SoiiHr- 


l]-^ 


Tlir    LOST    TRAPPERS. 

most  extensive  and  beautiful  prospect  they  had 
ever  seen.  They  found  themselves  on  the  most 
elevated  point  in  a  grand  prairie,  that  spread  al- 
most immeasurably  in  every  direction.  In  every 
way  they  looked,  a  beautiful  sea  green  surface 
spread  onward  and  onward,  until  it  united  with 
the  utmost  verge  of  the  sky,  bearing  a  striking  re- 
semblance to  the  undulating  surface  of  the  ocean. 
The  prairie  was  dotted,  here  and  there,  with  bands 
of  the  different  kinds  of  animals,  which  at  that 
early  day,  were  very  numerous  in  the  far  west. 
Far  away,  in  the  distance,  was  to  be  seen  a  herd  of 
buffalo,  some  quietly  grazing,  and  others  reposing 
upon  the  grass.  Near  at  hand  was  a  band  of  hun- 
gry and  roguish-looking  wolves,  curiously  eyeing 
the  company,  and  patiently  licking  their  lips  in  an- 
ticipation of  the  sweet  morsels  and  bones  they  ex- 
pected to  pick  up  about  the  camp  when  the  party 
were  gone.  In  this  beautiful  exciting  panorama  of 
nature  were  the  elk  and  the  antelope,  the  one 
crowned  with  his  stately,  wide-spreading  antlers ; 
the  other  sweeping  and  curveting  around  with  so 
much  grace  and  ease,  as  scarcely  to  appear  to 
make  a  single  muscular  efibrt.  And  then,  hard-by, 
was  a  little  village  of  prairie  dogs,  the  industrious 
inhabitants  of  which  were  up  at  the  first  break  of 
day,  yelping,  and  skipping  about,  darting  into  their 
holes,  and  as  quickly  coming  out  «;,  ^  "  and  in  this 
way  expressing  the  surprise  and  cv  .\  treated  by 
the  presence  of  these  intruders  upon  li  <  it  territory. 
We  promise  the  reader,  in  another  part  '•f  this  vol- 
ume, a  fuller  account  of  this  curious*  antic  Uttle  in- 


WiWimt  liihi'ipN*  » i^mmmmii'f^l^  f  '  -'     " 


.  they  had 
1  the  most 
;  spread  al- 
In  every 
«n  surface 
inited  with 
striking  re- 
'  the  ocean, 
with  bands 
ch  at  that 
B  far  west, 
n  a  herd  of 
re  reposing 
eind  of  hun* 
isly  eyeing 
r  lips  in  an- 
tes they  ex- 
n  the  party 
Etnorama  of 
>e,  the  one 
ng  antlers; 
and  with  so 

appear  to 
en,  hard-by, 
industrious 
'st  break  of 
sg  into  their 

and  in  this 

created  by 
At  territory. 

'"f  this  vol- 
itio  Uttle  in,' 


THE     LOST     TRAPPKRS, 


41 


habitant  of  thr  prairie.  Altlioiigh  tlie  company  was 
delighted  with  the  lecene,  they  did  not  think  it  safe 
policy  to  occupy  so  conspicuous  a  place  very  long, 
as  they  might  be  espied  many  miles  in  every  direc- 
tion, by  any  roving  bands  of  Indians  that  might  be 
in  that  region.  Without,  therefore  enjoying  their 
usual  morning  r<;past,  they  hurried  olF,  and  traveled 
until  noon,  when  they  came  to  timber,  in  which 
they  p.assed  several  hours  of  re[)ost;  botli  to  them- 
selves and  their  horses.  In  the  afternoon  of  this 
day  they  met  a  small  hunting  party  of  Kansas,  be- 
longing to  the  village  the  party  had  visited,  and 
held  a  short  parley  with  them,  in  which  they  were 
informed  of  the  trade  made  by  Captain  Williams 
and  the  chief  of  the  Kansas  village.  They  seemed 
to  place  confidence  in  the  statements  of  Captain 
Williams,  confirmed  as  they  were  by  the  testimony 
of  the  Mandans,  and  took  possession  of  the  rene- 
gado  dog  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  him  back  to 
his  legitimate  owner.  a 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  day,  a  rumbling,  rolling 
noise  was  heard  by  the  company,  in  the  south,  re- 
sembling distant  thunder.  Big  White,  who  was  an 
experienced  buffalo  hunter,  baid  that  it  was  made 
by  the  running  of  a  very  large  herd  of  frightened 
buffalo,  and,  as  the  sound  became  more  and  more 
distinct,  he  stated  that  they,  in  all  probability,  were 
coming  toward  the  company,  a  circumstance  that 
would  be  attended  with  danger,  if  they  were  as 
numerous  as  the  noise  indicated. 

For  one  hour  the  thundering  continued,  becom- 
ing more  and  more  audible,  until  the  dark  rolling 


■liil  rai  ii  I II  Ki.WI 


g|  THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 

mass  of  living,  moving  animals  was  seen  on  the 
verge  of  the  horizon,  coming  directly  towards  the 
company,  and  apparently  covering  the  whole  earth. 
Under  such  circumstances  there  is  no  retreating, 
and  a  party  of  men  in  such  a  situation,  are  reduced 
to  the  desperate  expedient  of  standing  their  ground 
and  facing  the  danger.    A  part  of  the  men  secured 
the  horses  by  tethering  them,  and  at  the  same  time 
rid  them  of  their  burdens ;  whilst  the  others  rushed 
forward  with  their  arms  to  meet  the  herd  two  or 
three  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  the  horses.    The 
thing  to  be  effected,  and  the  only  thing  that  can  be 
effected,  to  prevent  being  overrun  and  trampled  to 
death,  is  to  divide  the  crowd.      This,  the  company 
was  able  to  accomplish  by  firing  their  guns  as  fast 
as  they  could  load,  and  shouting  and  waving  their 
hats.     As  the  vast  throng  came  up,  they  divided  to 
the  right  and  the  left,  leaving  a  passage  about  forty 
or  fifty  yards  wide,  which  was  occupied  by  the  men 
and  horses.     But  the  shouting,  and  shooting,  and 
waving  of  hats  had  to  be  kept  up  whilst  the  denser 
part  of  the  throng  was  passing  by,  which  consumed 
at  least  one  entire  hour.    Big  White  and  his   son, 
who  understood  the  disposition  of  the  buffalo  bet- 
ter than  any  present,  aided  in  the  matter,  and  ren- 
dered most  efficient  help  by  fheir  tremendous  yells, 
which  seemed  to  frighten  the  buffalo  more  than 
any  thing  else.    The  gray-hound  dog  belonging  to 
the  company  became  frightened  and  confused,  and 
darted  into  the  crowd,  and  was  trampled  to  death. 

To  some,  these  statements  about  the  vast  num- 
ber of  buffalo  may  seem  to  invite  incredulity,  and 


mi 
th 
be 
th 
re 
se 
hi 
tl 
m 
th 
m 
til 
ft 
b 
tl 
o: 

i1 

Ii 
s 
f 

0 

f 

^ 
t 

■! 

1 
1 

1 


T 


TUB    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


43 


1 


een  on  the 
) wards  the 
irhole  earth, 
retreating, 
are  reduced 
heir  ground 
(len  secured 
!  same  time 
hers  rushed 
lerd  two  or 
orses.    The 
that  can  be 
trampled  to 
ic  company 
runs  as  fast 
raving  their 
y  divided  to 
B  about  forty 
[  by  the  men 
booting,  and 
»t  the  denser 
sh  consumed 
nd  his   son, 
buffalo  bet- 
ter, and  ren- 
Eiudous  yells, 
)  more  than 
belonging  to 
onfused,  and 
ed  to  death, 
le  vast  num- 
iredulity,  and 


may  be  classed  among  those  extravagant  stories 
that  are  frequentiy  associated  with  the  excitement 
belonging  to  frontier  adventure.      They  may  be 
thought  to  be  true,  only,  in  part ;  but  it  should  be 
remembered  that  they  are  confirmed  by  the  ob- 
servation of  all  men  who  have  traveled  through  a 
buffalo  coui\try,  some  of  whom  are  certainly  enti- 
tled to  credit  for  what  they  say.     The  same  state- 
ments are  made  about  their  vast  number  even  at 
the  present  day  ;  and  if  they  be  correct  now,  how 
much  more  true  were  they  forty  years  ago.    That 
the  number  of  buffalo  has  been  diminished  very 
fast  is  certainly  true,  and  in  another  part  of  this 
book  there  will  be  found  some  interesting  data  to 
this  effect,  which  we  gathered  from  the  expeditions 
of  Captain  Fremont. 

When  buffalo  are  seen  frightened  and  running, 
it  is  regarded  as  evident  that  they  are  pursued  by 
Indians.    It  was  not  the  case,  however,  in  the  pre- 
sent instance.    As  the  company  expected  the  buf- 
falo would  be  followed  by  Indians,  they  did  not 
once  think  of  securing  a  supply  of  meat,  but  suf- 
fered the  opportunity  to  pass  unimproved.   Captain 
Williams  thought  it  wisdom  to  be  on  the  alert,  as 
this  was  a  season  for  hunting,  and  the  prairies 
were  doubtless  infested  by  hunting  parties,  by 
whom  he  was  liable  to  be  surprised.     They  there- 
fore traveled  hard  and  late  before  they  came  to  a 
halt.    Three  men  left  the  main  body  of  the  company 
to  kill  some  game,  as  provisions  were  somewhat 
scarce.    They  v/ere  to  join  the  company  at  a  point 
of  timber,  that  was  visible  at  that  time,  and  seemed 


ir 


- '  »'"<gjt!m»f>.  ivmmiimmam 


Ml 


Hg,  THK     LOST    TRAPPERS. 

to  be  about  six  miles  off;  but  the  distance  proved 
much  greater.     The  men  were  strictly  ordered  by 
Captain  Williams  not  to  separate  from  each  other, 
as  they  were  now  on  very  dangerous  ground,  and 
their  safety  required  the  strictest  vigilance.     The 
party  reached  the  point  of  timber  about  sunset, 
and  supped  upon  a  very  scanty  supply  of  meat. 
About  dark  two  of  the  hunters  came  in,  bringing  a 
fine  deer.    They  reported  that  the  other  hunter 
had  left  them  to  get  a  shot  at  some   elk  that 
were   about  the  half  of  a  mile  off,  whilst  they 
wound  around  and  about  to  kill  their  deer.    In  this 
way  they  lost  sight  of  him.     They  further  stated 
that  they  had  seen  three  men  on  horses,  going  in 
the  direction  the  absent  man  had  gone.      This  cir- 
cumstance awakened  the  most  painful  apprehen- 
sions in  the  camp  as  to  hie  safety.    It  was  now  too 
late  to  go  in  search  of  him,  and,  if  alive,  he  was 
doomed  to  spend  the  night  in  the  prairie,  entirely 
unprotected.     Captain  Williams  thought,  at  one 
time,  of  kindling  up  a  large  fire,  hoping  that  the 
lost  man  might  sec  the  light  and  find  his  way  to 
the  camp ;   but  then  this  plan  might  betray  the 
whole  company  into  the  hands  of  hostile  Indians, 
and  on  that  account  it  was  abandoned.      Ti     fires 
were  extinguished,  and  the  guard  required  vo  be 
very   cautious.     If  the    missing   man   had   fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  these  savages  would 
most  likely  meditate  an  attack  upon  the  main  body. 
The  night  passed  without  anything  to  disturb  their 
slumbers,  except  their  concern  for  the  lost  hunter, 
and  at  the  earliest  dawn  of  day,  ten  men,  including 


W,?    'J!p 


■■v^i^m3)~ 


THE     LOST     TRAPI'KRS. 


45 


nee  proved 
ordered  by 
each  other, 
ground,  and 
ance.     The 
out  sunset, 
ly  of  meat. 
,  bringing  a 
ther  hunter 
(le   elk  that 
whilst  they 
eer.    In  this 
rther  stated 
es,  going  in 
I.      This  cir- 
il  apprehcn- 
was  now  too 
live,  he  was 
irie,  entirely 
ight,  at  one 
ing  that  the 
d  his  way  to 
t  betray  the 
jtile  Indians, 
I.      Ti     fires 
quired  vo  be 
1   had   fallen 
wages  would 
le  main  body. 
I  disturb  their 
3  lost  hunter, 
len,  including 


the  two  that  had  acted  as  hunters  the  evening  be- 
fore, set  off  to  look  up  the  one  that  was  absent. 
They  went  to  the  place  where  Carson,  (for  that 
was  his  name)  was  represented  as  being  last  seen ; 
but  no  signs  of  his  being  there  could  be  found. 
The  surface  of  the  ground  was  such  that  if  he  had 
been  there,  he  would  have  left  some  impression 
that  would  still  be  perceptible.     No  tracks  made 
by  his  horse  could  be  found.     It  could  not  be  the 
place  where  he  had  been  last  seen,  for  he  could  not 
have  been  there  at  all.     The  men  frequently  fired 
their  guns,  and  rode  about  and  shouted  at  the  top 
of  their  voices,  and  waved  their  hats,  but  no  an- 
swer was  received,  and  nothing  like  a  man  could 
be  seen  any  where  on  the  wide  expanse  of  prairie 
that  spread  around.     As  they  swept  around,  how- 
ever, they    iw  a  horse  standing  in  a  patch  of  brush. 
When  they  approached  him,  he  recognized  the  com- 
pany and  neighed.     This  brought  the  men  to  a 
halt,  to  ascertain  what  it  meant.     They  called  and 
shouted,  but  no  one  answered.      This  tended  to 
confirm  their  unfavorable  apprehension  as  to  the 
fate  of  Carson.     He  was,  in  all  probability,  killed, 
and  his  horse  and  equipage  were  in  the  possession 
of  savages,  at  that  time  concealed  in  the  thicket 
just  before  them.     But  they  were  determined  to 
know  for  themselves,  and  approached  the  horse 
very  cautiously,  with  their  fingers  upon  the  trig- 
gers of  their  guns,  ready  to  fire,  and  expecting, 
every  moment,  to  be  fired  upon.     When  they  were 
sufficiently  near,  they  discovered  the   horse  was 
carefully  tied,  and  a  short  distance  off  lay  Carson 


ir 


ri'M! 


'1      '' 


mitw 


:4ti/*i.- 


46 


THE    LOST    TRAPPEK8. 


under  a  tree,  with  hie  head  upon  his  saddle.     The 
men  thought  he  was  dead,  but  they  soon  found  out 
that  he  was  in  a  sound  sleep,  and  indeed  eivjoying 
a  very  pleasant  dream,  at  the  same  time.     When 
they  aroused  him,  he  at  first  seemed  bewildered 
and  wild.    He  ga\e  a  doleful  account  of  himself, 
as  he  passed  the  night  lost  and  alone.      In  his 
eagernese  to  shoot  an  elk,  he  lost  his  course,  and 
wandered  about  long  after  dark,  perhaps  till  mid* 
night,  hoping  that  he  might  see  the  light  of  the  en- 
campment.    Failing  in  this,  fatigued  and  hungry, 
he  laid  himself  down  to  sleep  if  he  could,  but  his 
mind  was  so  much  impressed  with  the  dangers  by 
which  he  was  beset,  that  he  lay  wide  awake  until 
about  the  break  of  day,  which  was  the  cause  of  his 
being  asleep  when  they  found  him.      He  saw  the 
Indians  seen  by  the  other  men.    They  passed  with- 
in an  hundred  yards  from  him,  but  did  not  see  him, 
as  he  was  hid,  as  he  thought,  in  the  same  thicket 
in  which  he  spent  the  night.     As  his  he    e  was 
very  impatient  to  join  the  company  again,  and  fre- 
quently neighed,  Carson  was  very  much  afraid  that 
he  would  betray  him  into  the  hands  of  those  three 
Indians  that  passed  so  near.    To  prevent  this  he 
blindfolded  him  by  binding  his  handkerchief  over 
his  eyes,  an  expedient  that  had  the  effect  of  en- 
tirely subduing  his  restiveness  and  ill-timed  impa- 
tience.    He  thought  the  Indians  were  traveling  in 
a  southern  direction,  and  their  horses  seemed  very 
much  fatigued.     They  were  well  armed  with  bows 
and  arrows,  and  long  spears,  and  Carson  thought 
each  one  had  several  scalps  dangling  to  their  bridle 


biti 

ha| 

ma 

1 

the 

sa^ 

me 

H< 

nu 

an 

ho 

br 

nil 

oh 

pt 


ddle.     The 
n  found  out 
ed  ei\joying 
me.    When 
beMrildered 
of  himself, 
le.     In  his 
course,  and 
ps  till  mid- 
It  of  the  en- 
ind  hungry, 
luld,  but  his 
dangers  by 
xwake  until 
cause  of  his 
He  saw  the 
passed  with* 
not  see  him, 
ame  thicket 
a  he    e  w«s 
ain,  and  fre- 
1  afraid  that 
'  those  three 
«rent  this  he 
Lerchief  over 
effect  of  en- 
timed  impa- 
traveling  in 
seemed  veiy 
d  with  bows 
rson  thought 
o  their  bridle 


THE     LOST     TRAPPEBS. 


47 


bits.  They  were  evidently  returning  home,  per- 
haps from  some  adventurous  tramp,  in  which  they 
may  have  sought  revenge  on  some  rival  party. 

From  the  description  of  these  Indians,  Big  White 
thought  they  were  of  the  Kite  Indians,  who  were 
savage  in  the  extreme,  and  would  have  shown  no 
mercy  whatever  to  Carson,  if  they  had  seen  him. 
He  spoke  of  them  as  being  very  much  reduced  in 
number,  by  their  constant  wars  with  other  tribes, 
and  yet  perfectly  indomitable.  They  were  gireat 
horsemen,  and  very  swift.  Captain  Williams  em- 
braced the  opportunity,  which  this  occurence  fur- 
nished, to  urge  upon  his  men  the  most  scrupulous 
observance  of  the  regulations  belonging  to  the  com- 
pany, as  very  necessary  for  their  safety. 


^lii; 


)\  ' 

t 

■          -. 

!  i 
III 

.i.. 

' 

' 

■^ 

'i 

4 

'■■ 

i 

. 

I !  . 


If! 


I 


lit 


-  CHAPTER    IV. 

-♦ 

Indian  «:ouU-ViBilancc  of  tho  ,.«rly-Thcy  ro«:h  the  Platte-One  of 
rparty  .K.om« -ick-The  w»y  .o  kill  un.elope-P»wneo«  com.  o 
L   cal-They  feel  very  n.uch  f..r  the   «ck  m.n- The  y.po   bath 
™Ve  ?o7every.hmR-The«ck   ,„an  dies-Indian  honor.   lH>»toweJ 
"    7^n  L  de^-A  Und  of  wolvc-  on  the  grave  of  HamilUm.  d^,B...« 
up  hi*  boily— This  in  n  common  thing. 
Thk  lost  man  being  found,  tlie  party  rcHumod 
their  journey,  exercising  renewed  caiUion,  a.  tl.ey 
saw  abundant  sign.   «f  Indians.     Tlte   tracks  of 
their  horses    and   their  vacated  camps   ^vere   Iro- 
quently  observed  ;  whilst  the  game  along  the  route 
seemed  alarmed  and  easily  frightene.l.  About  noon, 
some  Indian  scout,  were  s.>en  by  tlte  aid  o   a  glass, 
on  an  eminence,  a  lo.tg  way   ..If,  evidently  recn- 
noitcring  the  movements  of  th.>  company.      1  oward 
the  latter  part  of  the  day,  the  sa.ne  scouts  were 
again  following  along  at  a  distance,  on  their  trail. 
They  were  supposed  to  be  spies  be.longlng  to  some 
hostile  tribe,  perhaps  large,  in  that   n.-ighborhood, 
who  intended,  tha'  night,  if  an  opportunity  oilered, 
to  steal  their  horses,  and  p.Mhaps  attack  the  com- 
nanv      Late  in  the  afternoon,  th.>y  came  to  a  smal 
stream  of  very  pure  water,  where  they  determined 
to   take  a  little  refreshment,  and  to  permit  their 
horses  to  fill  themselves  with  grass.     The  Mandan 
Chief  told  Captain  Williams  that  the  party  that 


r  II  i:    I, (I  ST    v  R  \  r  r  i;  r  s  , 


40 


!  Platte — One  of 
PttwneoB  oome  to 
-The  vapor  hnlh 
liunor*  liCdlowcJ 
ilamilU)n,>lii!Hi>>8 

irty  rcsumrd 
tion,  a!<  tlity 
k;  tracks  of 
)rt  vt-rc  iVo- 
)ng  the  route 

About  noon, 
ill  of  tt  sliiss, 
Untly  rrcon- 
ly.     Toward 

rtcoutri  were 
DU  their  tiail. 
"inz  to  some 
iicighborliood, 
unity  oirn-ed, 
;ack  the  coni- 
me  to  a  small 
<y  deterniinid 

permit  their 

The  Mandan 
lie  party  that 


were  dogging  them,  and  no  doiiht  entertained  bad 
deHignn  towards  his  eoiii|iaiiy,  would  not  attempt  to 
execute  tliosc  designs  until  a  l.itr  hour  in  the  night, 
perhaps  a  short  time  brfore  day,  when  they  woidd 
be  asleep;  and  that  it  was  good  policy  on  his  part, 
to  act  as  though  he  suspected  notliint>;  of  the  kind, 
and  to  be  pcrlrclly  at  his  ease.  At  dark,  they  re- 
newed their  tires  to  deceive  the  lurking  foe,  and 
then  quietly  and  silently  put  oil".  Turning  their 
course  rather  to  the  north,  they  traveled  about  ten 
miles,  and  then  stretched  their  weary  limbs  on  the 
green  grass,  until  the  light  of  another  morning 

Immediately  after  day-break  the  company  were 
on  their  way,  exulting  in  their  present  security  and 
in  having  out-witted  as  well  as  out-traveled  the 
enemy;  nor  did  they  in  the  least  relax  their  speedy 
ga»t  until  noon,  at  which  time  they  reached  a  ra- 
vine, where  wood  and  water  were  abundant.  There 
they  remained  for  two  hours.  A  scout  or  out  sen- 
tinel was  atalioned  on  an  eminence  in  the  prairie 
to  scan  the  country  around,  and  report,  by  signs, 
any  and  every  thing,  that  looked  in  any  degree 
suspicious. 

We  pass  on  to  that  part  of  the  journal  which  de- 
tails the  events  of  the  expedition,  when  they  arrived 
on  the  Platte.  They  reached  the  waters  of  this 
river  about  the  first  of  June.  One  of  the  men, 
whose  name  was  William  Hamilton,  had  taken  sick 
the  day  before,  and  not  being  able  to  travel,  the 
party  were  compelled  to  encamp.  He  had  a  very 
high  fever,  and  was  frequently  wild  and  flighty. 
Captain  Williams  made  several  efforts  to  bleed  him, 


' 


[■* 


iiflji 


Hm 


in  Tin:    i-<)>*T   TRArri;«»- 

but  without  BUcncHH.  He  alHo  oxhihitcJ  a  do.r  of 
cttloinrl,  Nvhich,  likrwi.c,  wu.  not  mcornpan..". 
with  Buy  Hulutary  Hlect.  Po<.r  iVH-w  !  in  h.H  luc.l 
m..mrntH,  he  irnju.ntly  .•xpr.MH.-.l  an  oarn.-Ht  w..h 
to  «eo  onco  more  his  native  home  and  hin  In.-nd^  : 
but  he  had  bid  them  adieu  l'..r  the  lant  time,  and  it 
was  his  fate  to  en.l  hin  days  in  .i  land  ol  Aram 

Art  they  would,  in  nil  prohabiUty.be  eompelled.by 
the  Hituati.ui  of  llamiUi.n,  to  remain  there,  i)eri»aprt 
for  Beveral  days,  the  men  on  the  tirnt  day  were  rn- 
Kaeed  in  eonstruetin-  a  sort  of  breant-work  lor  the 
great,T  .afety  of  the  i»arty.     Five  mvn,  the  next 
morning  swept  an.und  a  mile  or  two  from  the  camp, 
and  returned  with  part  .»f  the  meat  of  a  fine  young 
buflalo,  and  the  carcaHs  of  an  anteloi)e,  which  was 
the  first  that  had  heen  killed  by  any  of  the  parly. 
Its  meat  was  thought  to  be  very  fine,  and  much  like, 
venison.    Indeed  the        olope  exactly  resembles  the. 
common  deer,  in   e  espect,   except  as   to   its 

horns,  which  ditler  irom  those  of  the  deer,  being 
straight,  slender,  erect  and  without  any  branches. 
The  man  who  killed  it,  said  that  it  would  not  per- 
mit him  to  approach  within  the  rang.-  of  his  rifie  ; 
he  threw  himself  ap<.n  the  ground  and  elevated  his 
handkerchief  on  the  end  of  his  gun-stick,  and  as  it 
waved  in  the  wind  the  curiosity  of  the  animal 
seemed  to  gain  the  ascendancy  over  its  caution  and 
shyness ;  and  it  wheeled  al)out  and  returned,  run- 
ning round  and  round,  drawing  still  nearer  every 
circuit  it  made,  until  it  actually  came  within  thirty 
steps  of  him.  He  then  shot  it,  as  he  lay  in  a  hon- 
zontal  poaition. 


n  (loHO  of 
•nrnpanird 
n  hiH  lucid 
rni'Ht  wibIi 
lirt  lVi«'nd«  : 
riif,  and  it 
f  Ariihrt. 
nix'llfd.hy 
rt",  jn'iliaprt 
ly  vvciT  «n- 
ork  lor  tlie 
1,  the  next 
n  thccuinp, 
line  young 
wliich  wuH 
r  thf  party, 
id  much  like 
semhlcs  the. 
»t  tirt  to  its 
deer,  being 
y  branches, 
lid  not  per- 
of  hit*  rille  ; 
elevated  hia 
ck,  and  as  it 
the   animal 
caution  and 
sturncd,  run- 
learer  every 
within  thirty 
ay  in  a  hori- 


T  II  E     LOST     T  R  A  P  I*  K  R  8  , 


51 


Durinitf  this  day,  a  party  of  hulinna,  on  horse- 
back, and  bearinjf  a  warlike  anpect,  made,  their  ap- 
pearance near  the  camp,  and  ^azed  with  much 
curiosity  upon  the  company.  Captain  Williams, 
accompanied  by  Ui>?  White,  advanced  towards 
them,  makinji;  sijjns  of  friendsliip.  With  some  lit- 
tle diHiculty  they  were  brought  to  a  parley,  in 
which  he  learned  that  they  were  a  war-party  of 
Pawnees,  who  had  been  out  in  pursuit  of  some 
Osages  who  had  stolen  some  of  their  horses.  They 
had  overtaken  and  killed  the  most  of  them.  They 
were  in  possession  of  a  number  of  scalps,  as  so 
many  trophies,  and  had  regained  the  stolen  horses. 
There  were  thirty  Pawnees,  well  armed  with  bows 
and  arrows,  and  shields,  and  spears.  They  seemed 
very  friendly,  especially  when  they  learned  that  the 
object  of  the  expedition  was  to  take  the  Mnndan 
chief  home  to  his  tnite.  They  had  received  pre- 
sents from  Lewis  and  Clark  the  year  before,  which 
laid  the  foundation  of  partiality  for  the  whites;  a 
feeling  which  Captain  Williams  strengthened  very 
much,  by  giving  them  tobacco,  and  several  other 
trifling  articles.  Having  been  conducted  to  the 
camp,  they  received  every  kindness  that  the  party 
could  bestow  upon  them.  They  seemed  to  feel 
very  much  for  Hamilton,  who  continued  very  ill, 
and  were  greatly  surprised  to  witness  Captain 
Williams'  effort  to  extract  blood  ;  nor  was  it  pos- 
sible to  make  them  understand  how  it  could  benefit 
the  sufferer.  They  brought  in  a  number  of  roots 
and  weeds,  which  they  eloquently  aflirmed,  by 
signs,  would  be  an  infallible  remedy.     They  also 


ii' 


53 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS 


n 


urged  sweating  and  bathing,  to  which  the  Indiana 
east  and  west  of  the  mountains  aKvays  resort,  ae  a 
remedy  not  only  for  fc^ver,  but  almost  every  kind 
of  disease.      As   the  reader  may  not  understand 
their  ttioJiis  operandi  in  the  ute  of  this  remedy,  it 
may  not  be  improper  to  describe  it.    A  vapor  bath, 
or  sweating  hou.-e,  is  "  a  hollow  square,  of  six  or 
eight  feet  deep,  formed  against  the  river  bank,  by 
damming  up,  with  mud,  the  other  three  sides,  and 
covering   the  top  completely,  except   an  aperture 
about  two  feet  wide.     The  bather  descends  by  this 
hole,  taking  with   him   a  number  of  h<ated   stones 
and' jugs    of   water;    and   aller   seaing   himself, 
throws  the  \vater  on  the  stones,  till  the  steam  be- 
comes of  a  temperature  sufficiently  high  for  his  pur- 
pose.     Th3  baths  of  the  Indians    in   the    Rocky 
Mountains  are  of  different  sizes,  the  most  common 
being  made  of  mud  and  sticks  like  an  oven  ;   but 
the  mode  of  raising  th-  steam  is  exactly  the  same. 
Among  those  nations,  when  a  man  bathes  for  plea- 
sure, he   is   generally   accompanied  by  one,  and 
sometimes  by  several  of  ^--   acquaintances.     In- 
deed it  is  so  essentially  a  social  amusement,  that 
to  decline  going  in  the  bath  when  invited  by  a 
friend,  is  one  of  the  highest  indignities  which  can 
be  offered.     The  Indians  on  the  frontier  generally 
use  a  bath  that  will  accommodate  only  one  person, 
and  which  is  formed  of  wicker-work  of  willows, 
about  four  feet  high,  arched  at  the  top  and  covered 
with  skins.     In  this  the  bather  sits  till,  by  means 
of  the  steam  from  the  heated  stones,  he  lias  per- 
spired sufficieatly.  These  baths  are  almost  univer- 


5S5.rr' 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS 


68 


le  Indiana 
!t»ort,  as  a 
very  kind 
nderstand 
•emedy,  it 
apor  bath, 
of  six  or 

•  bank,  by 
slides,  and 
1  aprrture 
ids  by  this 
ted  stones 
g   himself, 

steam  be- 
br  his  pur- 
the  Rocky 
jt  common 
oA'en  ;   but 

•  the  same. 
>B  for  plea- 
'  one,  and 
ances.  In- 
ement,  that 
ivited  by  a 

which  can 
r  generally 
one  person, 
of  willows, 
md  covered 
1,  by  means 
lie  lias  per- 
Qost  univer- 


sally in  the  neighborhood  of  running  water,  into 
which  the  bather  plunges  immediately  on  coming 
out ;  and  sometimes  he  retains  again  and  subjects 
himself  to  a  second  peivpiration.  The  bath  is  em- 
ployed for  pleasure,  as  well  as  health,  and  is  used 
indiscriminately  for  all  kinds  of  diseases."  It  is 
also  used  for  another  purpose.  When  an  Indian 
trapper  is  unsuccessful  in  trapping  for  beaver,  he 
enters  the  a^veating  house,  where  he  remains  for 
some  time,  sweating  most  profusely.  In  this  con- 
dition, he  immediately  plunges  into  the  cold  stream, 
fancying  that,  by  this  means,  he  rids  himself  of 
some  peculiar  odor,  or  impurity  of  body,  that  kept 
the  keen-scented  beaver  from  his  traps.  Having 
passed  through  this  purification  and  cleansing,  he 
returns  to  his  work  with  renewed  confidence  and 
hopes  of  success. 

Two  of  the  men  went  with  tl  e  Pawnee  warri- 
ors to  their  village,  which  was  about  fifteen  miles 
north-east.  They  took  with  them  some  presents 
for  their  chiefs,  as  they  had  Earned  that  the  vari- 
ous tribes  were  very  great  beggars,  and  always  ex- 
pect the  white  men  to  confirm  their  professions 
of  friendship,  by  things  that  are  visible  as  well  as 
tangible.  The  latter  part  of  this  day  the  sick  man 
died;  a  melancholy  event  that  was  not  expected  so 
soon.  His  body  was  immediately  wTapped  in  a 
blanket  and  deposited  in  a  grave.  In  the  bark  of 
a  tree  standing  at  the  hea'  of  his  grave,  his  name 
was  cut  by  one  of  the  men  with  his  pocket  knife. 
His  death  cast  a  deep  gloom  over  the  camp,  as  he 
was  greatly  beloved  by  the  company,  and  esteemed 


' "  1  i 


54 


THE     LOST     T  R  A  P  P  K  R  S 


and  admired  for  his  great  fortitude  and  prudence. 
The  Mandan  chief,  who  sympathized  very  much 
with  the  party  in  their  great  loss  and  affliction,  ex- 
pected that  the  burial  of  a  white  brave  would  have 
been  accompanied  with  more  parade  and  ceremony, 
and  was  particularly  surprised,  that  he  was  not  fur- 
nished with  horses  and  arms  to  use  when  he  should 
reach  those  happy  hunting  grounds,  to  which  the 
braves  are  conducted  after  death.     It  is  the  custom 
of  the  various  tribes  to  furnish  their  heroes  with 
horses,  that  are  slain  on  their  graves,  and  with  moc- 
casins and  arms  of  every  description,  to  be  used  m 
that  Elysium  to  which  they  pass  in  death.     On  the 
grave   of   a  very  distinguished  brave,  fifteen   or 
twenty  horses   are   sometimes  sacrificed,  together 
with  a  corresponding  outfit   for    hunting   in  the 

other  world. 

Early  the  next  morning  after  the  death  of  Ham- 
ilton, mingled  feelings  of  sadness  and  indignation 
were  created  in  the  camp,  by  seeing  a  band  of 
wolves  on  his  grave,  most  industriously  diggmg  out 
the  loose  earth  to  get  at  his  body.     The  men  sud- 
denly and  simultaneously  grasped  their  rifles   to 
revenge  the  indignity  ofi-ered  to  the  dead,  by  a  gen- 
eral fire  upon  the  pack;    but  Captain  Williams 
checked  them,  by  suggesting  that  the  report  of 
their  arms  might  be  heard  by  marauders,  and  bring 
them  into   a  difliculty.      They   therefore   quietly 
drove  them  away,  and  covered  the  grave  with  long 
heavy  pieces  of  timber  which  the  wolves  would  not 
be  able  to  remove. 

Captain  Williams  learned  from  Big  White  that 


prudence, 
ery  much 
ction,  ex- 
ould  have 
ceremony, 
is  not  fur- 
he  should 
which  the 
he  custom 
?roe8  with 
with  moc- 
be  used  in 
I.     On  the 
fifteen   or 
1,  together 
ng   in  the 

h  of  Ilam- 
ndignation 
a  band  of 
Jigging  out 

men  sud- 
r  rifles  to 
1,  by  a  gen- 
i  Williams 

report  of 
i,  and  bring 
ore  quietly 
e  with  long 
3  would  not 

White  that 


THE     LOST    T  K  A  !•  P  E  R  S 


55 


the  wolves  would  always  dig  up  the  dead,  il  not 
buried  so  as  to  prevent  it,  and  that  they  always 
most  greedily  devour  the  slain  on  the  field  of  bat- 
tle, if  left  on  the  surface  of  the  ground.    Their  scent 
is  so  very  acute,  they  can  sm.U  a  dead  body  three 
or  four  feet  under  ground,  and  having  dug  it  up, 
feed  upon  it  with  the  greedy  rapacity  of  the  hyena. 
The  two  men  sent  to  the  Pawnee  village  returned 
about  noon,  stating  that  there  were  tfonc  but  wo- 
men, and  children,  and  very  old  men  at  the  village; 
the  chiefs  and  the  young  men  having  gone  to  hold 
a  council  with  the  Ottoes  and  the  Missouries.    This 
afternoon  the  party  were  again  under  way,  travel- 
ing due  west,  as  the  most  direct  route  io  the  Man- 
dan  country. 


I  i 

f 

h 


ih 


!  t 


CHAPTER  V. 

Character  of  the  country — Opinion  of  geologists — Rapid  growth  of  timber 
— Beautiful  KJglit — Prairie  on  fire  at  night — A  lone  tree— A  band  of 
wolves  chasing  a  young  buffiilo  bull,  and  killing  him — They  kill  a 
grc!it  nmny  calves— Sudilcn  arrival  of  two  young  Indians,  a  Pawnee 
young  man  and  a  Sioux  girl. 

It  may  be  remarked,  as  the  general  character  of 
the  country  between  the  State  of  Missouri  and  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  that  the  greater  part  of  it  is  un- 
dulating prairie,  almost  as  vast  and  trackless  as  the 
ocean,  and,  at  the  time  we  treat,  a  terra  incognita  to 
the  white  man.  Some  geologists  suppose  them  to 
have  formed  the  ancient  floor  of  the  Ocean,  count- 
less ages  since,  when  its  primeval  waves  beat 
against  the  granite  bases  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
But  the  opinion,  most  generally  entertained  by 
those  persons  who  reside  in  the  great  prairies  of  the 
West,  is,  that  they  are  formed  by  the  tires  by  which 
they  are  overrun  every  autumn.  Jn  favor  of  this 
opinion,  quite  a  number  of  facts  can  be  brought  up. 
Where  tiie  fires  .«till  prevail,  they  encroach  upon 
the  timber  that  exists,  and  diminish  ita  tjuantity  ev- 
erj'  year  ;  and  it  is  not  diflicult  to  see  that,  in  the 
process  of  time,  these  regular  autumnal  fires  would 
destroy  all  the  timber  on  the  surface  of  the  earth, 
where  it  may  be  unprotected.     Again,  it  is  to  be 

(56) 


\m  I* 


\ 


<,»' 


growth  of  timber 
ee — A  band  of 
n— They  kill  a 
liana,  a  Pawnee 

laracter  of 
uri  and  the 
of  it  is  un- 
kless  as  the 
iruognita  to 
)se  them  to 
ean,  count- 
vaves  beat 
Mountains, 
rtained  by 
liries  of  the 
;s  by  which 
ftvor  of  this 
iirought  up. 
■each  upon 
uantity  ev- 
that,  in  the 
fires  would 
f  the  earth, 
it  is  to  be 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


57 


remarked  that  in  all  low  places,  such  as  ravines,  hol- 
lows and  river  bottoms  and  small  vallies,  where  the 
dampness  of  the  soil  and  vegetation  is  such  as  to 
check  the  progress  of  these  great  fires,  there  and 
there  only  is  timber  to  be  found.  It  may  be  fur- 
ther stated,  that  where  the  fire  has  been  kept  out 
for  twenty  five  or  thirty  years,  the  face  of  the  coun- 
try becomes  covered  again  with  a  growth  of  young 
timber,  thirty  and  forty  feet  high.  The  trunks  of 
trees  are  sometimes  found  in  those  prairies,  in  a 
state  of  petrifaction,  which  is  evidence  that  those  vaat 
plains  were  once  clothed  with  timber.  Although  in 
many  parts  of  the  prairie  country  timber  is  scarce, 
yet  the  supply  is  sufficient  for  present  purposes,  and 
as  its  growth  is  very  rapid  in  consequence  of  the 
great  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  increase  of  timber  it  is 
believed  will  be  amply  sufficient  for  all  future  de- 
mands. 

These  great  fires  are  sometimes  very  beautiful 
and  even  grand  when  seen  in  a  dark  night.  As 
the  light  of  the  sun  is  withdrawn,  and  night-fall 
comes  on,  the  light  of  those  fires  becomes  more  and 
more  distinct  and  bright,  until  a  beautiful  long,  and 
luminous  line  is  to  be  seen  stretching  afar  to  the 
right  and  the  left,  across  the  plains.  The  flames 
generally  rise  to  the  height  of  five  or  six  feet ;  but 
when  the  consuming  element  reaches  those  places 
where  the  growth  of  vegetation  is  luxuriant,  it 
blazes  up  thirty  or  forty  feet  high ;  and  such  is  the 
reflection  of  the  light  in  the  distant  horizon,  that  it 
may  be  seen  for  fifty  miles,  and  looks  like  the  ap- 
proach of  the  gieat  luminary  of  day. 


I 


if 


1! 


i-  i 
■  ;U 

\ 

^■'i 

ii          S 

|j  j 

li 

:i' 

ii     ': 

I  , 

H 

If  ■ 

1 

i 

58 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


It  sometimes  happens,  that  a  solitary  tree,  from 
some  peculiar  locality,  remains  unscathed  and  is 
permitted  to  grow  and  attain  considerable  dimen- 
sions; whilst  not  a  shrub  or  twig  of  any  description 
is  to  be  seen,  in  any  direction,  for  many  miles. 
Alone  and  isolated,  it  stands  a  beacon  to  the  trav- 
eler over  a  sea  of  prairie,  and  constitutes  a  pleasant 
and  permanent  object,  on  which  he  may  rest  his 
eyes,  that  are  wearied  with  the  monotony  around 

him.  .     - 

June  5th.   This  afYemoon  something  in  motion 
was  discovered  on  the  prairie  ahead  of  the  com- 
pany, but  so  far  off,  they  were  not  able  to^  deter- 
mine what  it  was.    As  they  approached  it.  Captain 
Williams,  by  the  aid  of  a  glass,  ascertained  that  it 
was  a  band  of  wolves  in  full  chase  after  a  buffalo, 
coming  directly  towards  the  party.      As  all  were 
anxious  to  see  the  race,  and  how  it  would  termi- 
nate, they  placed  themselves  in  a  position  not  to  be 
noticed  very  readily  by  the  wolves,  and,  in  a  few 
minutes,  they  had  a  fair  view  of  the  whole  affair. 
The  buffalo  proved  to  be  a  well  grown  young  bull, 
in  fine  condition.    There  were  about  twelve  wolves 
of  the  largest  kind,  and  must  have  had  a  long  and 
a  tight  race,  as  they  seemed  (both  wolves  and  buf- 
falo) very  much  fatigued.     As  they  ran  the  wolves 
were  close  around  the  buffalo,  snapping  and  snatch- 
ing all  the  time ;   but  they  were  observed  not  to 
seize   and  hold  on   like   a  dog.    Their  mode  of 
taking  the  buffalo  is  to  run  them  down ;  and  when 
they  are  completely  out  of  breath,  by  a  constant 
worrying  and  snatching  kept  up  by  all  hands,  they 


i 


y  tree,  from 
;hed  and  is 
able  dimen- 

description 
nany  miles. 

to  the  trav- 
9  a  pleasant 
nay  rest  his 
tony  around 

g  in  motion 
of  the  com- 
)le  to  deter- 
d  it,  Captain 
ained  that  it 
ter  a  buffalo. 
As  all  were 
would  termi- 
ion  not  to  be 
id,  in  a  few 
whole  aflair. 
n  young  bull, 
ivelve  wolves 
,d  a  long  and 
Ives  and  buf- 
,n  the  wolves 
g  and  snatch- 
served  not  to 
leir  mode  of 
n ;  and  when 
y  a  constant 
11  hands,  they 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


m 


drag  their  victim  to  the  ground,  and  then  fill  them- 
selves with  his  llesh,  sometimes  before  he  is  entirely 
dead. 

Indeed  in  this  case  they  seemed  to  feed  upon 
their  victim  as  they  ran,  for  every  thrust  they  made 
at  him  they  took  away  a  mouthful  of  his  flesh, 
which  they  gulped  as  they  ran,  and  by  the  time 
they  had  brought  him  to  the  ground,  the  flesh  of 
his  hind  quarters  was  taken  away  to  the  bone.  So 
eager  were  they  in  the  chase,  and  so  fierce  was  the 
contest,  that  they  did  not  observe  the  company  un- 
til they  rode  up  within  ten  steps  from  them,  and 
even  then  they  did  not  appear  to  be  much  fright- 
ened, but  scampered  off"  a  short  distance  and  sat 
down  ana  licked  their  lips,  and  waited  with  much 
impatience  to  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  hard- 
earned  feast.  The  bufl^alo  had  suffered  violence  in 
every  part.  The  tendons  of  his  hind  legs  were  cut 
asunder ;  the  tuft  of  hair  at  the  end  of  the  tail  was 
taken  away,  with  part  of  the  tail ;  pieces  of  hide 
and  flesh,  as  large  as  a  man's  hand,  were  jerked 
out  of  his  sides  in  several  places ;  his  ears  were 
much  torn,  and  in  the  battle  he  lost  one  of  his  eyes. 
Just  before  they  succeeded  in  bringing  him  to  the 
ground,  one  of  the  pack,  a  very  large  gray  wolf, 
was  seen  to  spring  upon  his  back,  tear  out  a  mouth- 
ful of  his  hump,  and  then  bound  off.  Having  grat- 
ified their  curiosity,  the  men  withdrew,  and  the 
hungry  pack  in  a  moment  set  in,  with  fresh  rapa- 
city, tearing  away  and  gulping  the  bloody  flesh  of 
their  victim,  that  still  faintly  struggled  for  life. 

Captain  Williams  represents  the  wolves  as  being 


IF 


ffv  TIIK     LOST     TRAPPERS. 

very  numerous,  and  always  to  be  seen  hanging 
al>out  the  outskirts  of  a  bulfulo  herd.  They  kill  a 
great  many  calves,  and  any  that  are  unable,  from 
any  untoward  circumstances,  to  resist  successfully 
their  attacks,  are  sure  to  fall  victims  to  their  ra- 
pacity. 

This  evening,  when  the  company  had  gone  into 
camp,  and  when  they  were  enjoying  their  usual 
repast,  two  young  Indians,  a  young  man  and  a 
squaw,  rode  up  and  alighted  in  the  midst  of  the 
men,  apparently  much  fatigued  and  way-worn. 
Their  presence  filled  the  company  with  amaze- 
ment, and  the  safety  of  the  party  required  of  them 
a  very  prompt  explanation.  They  might  belong  to 
some  marauders  in  that  vicinity,  who  might  give 
some  trouble.  The  young  Indian,  under  the  pre- 
text of  friendship,  might  be  the  spy  of  a  hostile 
band,  who  were  meditating  an  attack  upon  them. 
But  what  means  this  pretty  young  girl,  who  is  with 
him  ?  War  parties  arc  never  encumbered  with 
women.  The  jaded  condition  of  their  horses,  too, 
to  some  extent  allayed  their  fears,  as  it  was  evi- 
dence that  they  were  on  a  long  and  a  severe 
journey. 

The  Mandan  chief  interrogated  him  as  to  his 
object  and  destination,  and  learned  that  he  was  a 
Pawnee,  who  had  been  taken  captive  about  a  year 
before  by  the  Sioux,  and  was  conveyed  by  them  up 
the  Missouri  to  one  of  their  villages,  in  which  he 
remained  until  an  opportunity  to  make  his  escape 
to  his  own  tribe  presented  itself.  The  young  girl 
with  him  was  a  Sioux,  for  whom  he  conceived  a 


seen  hanging 
They  kill  a 
G  unable,  from 
!t  succesfllully 
8  to  their  ra- 

had  gone  into 
ig  their  ut<iial 
g  man   and  a 

midHt  of  the 
tid  way-worn. 

with  amaze- 
quired  of  them 
light  belong  to 
tio  might  give 
inder  the  pre- 
iT  of  a  hostile 
:k  upon  them, 
rl,  who  is  with 
iumbered  with 
eir  horses,  too, 
as  it  was  evi- 
and   a  severe 

bim  as  to  his 
that  he  was  a 
e  about  a  year 
ed  by  them  up 
!8,  in  which  he 
ake  his  escape 
he  young  girl 
e  conceived  a 


T  ri  E     LOST     T  R  A  P  I'  K  R  S  . 


61 


fondnPHS  whii.st  among  that  tribe.  The  attachment 
WHS  not  only  mutual,  but  that  they  might  connum- 
matc  their  bliss,  they  found  it  necessary  to  elope. 
They  were  now  Hying  to  his  native  village,  to 
which  another  night's  ride,  he  thought,  would 
bring  them.  As  they  seemed  very  much  fatigued, 
and  were  without  any  provisions,  the  party  very 
promptly  tendered  them  the  best  they  had,  which 
was  consumed  with  all  good  relish  by  the  two 
lovers.  After  they  had  ei\joyed  a  little  repose, 
Captain  Williams.,  through  Big  White,  drew  from 
the  young  Pawnee  the  following  details,  that  shall 
furnish  matter  for  a  short  chapter. 


m 


ti'-H 


"'W' 


CHATTEU  VI. 

Story  of  the  llenogaile  Lovew,  Uoraiito  biuI  Niargua. 

P.. RANT.)  bclonxed   to   the   Pawnee  Loupn,  who 
dwelt,  (if  an   Indian   can  be   eaid   to  dwell   any 
where)  on  the  Wolf  fork  of  the  Platte.    In  company 
with  weveral  of  hi>i  :  ounj<  brethren,  he  had  saun- 
tered 8ome  dintance  from  their  village,  and  were 
bathing  and  Hwimminp  about  in  a  small  stream  of 
water,  when  some  marauders  belonging  to  the  Te- 
tons  of  the  Burnt  Woods,  a  tribe  of  Sioux,  suddenly 
came  upon  them,  and   made   a  prisoner  of  him, 
whilst  the  others  were  able  to  eflect  their  escape. 
He  was  instantly  snatched  up,  tied  on  a  horse,  and 
hurried  away.     The  horse  that  he  rode  was  led  by 
one  of  the  Sioux,  and  goaded  on  by  another  that 
followed  immediately  behind.     They  traveled  night 
and  day,  and  traveled  hard,  until  they  had  reached 
a  point  entirely  out  of  the  reach  of  danger.      The 
Tetons  of  the  Burnt  Woods  have  their  main  vil- 
lage in  the  Grand  Detour  or  Great  Bend  of  the  Mis- 
souri river,  the  circuit   of  which  is  thirty   miles, 
whilst  the  distance  across  is  a  little  over  a  mile. 

When  they  reached  their  village,  as  Doranto 
proved  to  be  a  son  of  a  grand  chief  of  the  Pawnee 
Loups,  he  was  greatly  prized  as  a  captive,  and, 
on  that  account,  was  placed   in  the  family  of  a 

62 


'>«cM 


T  UK     LOST     TRAP  I'  F.  R  S  . 


6» 


uul  Niargua. 

ce  Loups,  who 
to  dwell   any 
e.    In  company 
1,  he  had  saun- 
llapp,  and  were 
umall  ftrrain  of 
iRing  to  the  Te- 
Sioux,  suddenly 
rirtoner  of  him, 
ct  their  escape, 
on  a  horse,  and 
rode  was  led  by 
by  another  that 
ey  traveled  night 
thoy  had  reached 
if  danger.      The 
!  their  main  vil- 
Bend  of  the  Mis- 
is  thirty   miles, 
e  over  a  mile, 
ige,  as    Doranto 
ef  of  the  Pawnee 
5  a  captive,  and, 
the  family  of  a 


principal  chief  of  the  Tetons.  There  wan  some- 
tliing  very  interestinK  in  the  pernon  of  the  young 
captive,  whi<h  no  doubt  secured  to  him  more  con- 
nideration,  and  a  kinder  and  more  respectful  treat- 
ment than  captives  generally  «'xperience  in  the 
hands  of  their  captors.  Although,  according  to  his 
own  statement,  he  had  seen  but  sixteen  winters, 
he  was  about  live  feet  and  nine  or  ten  inches  high, 
and,  in  the  view  of  Captain  VVilUams,  one  of  the, 
handsomest  antl  best  proportioned  men  he  had 
ever  seen.  The  expression  of  his  countenance, 
which  was  very  fine,  was  very  different  from  that 
which  human  nature  usually  bears  in  its  elemen- 
tary' state,  ile  certainly  possessed,  to  a  remarka- 
ble degree,  that  daring  intrepidity  of  character,  so 
much  admired  by  Indians,  and  which,  of  itself,  and 
unassociated  with  other  excellencies,  in  their  view, 
constitute  the  great  man  and  the  brave. 

It  IS  frequently  the  lot  of  captives  and  prisoners, 
to  some  extent,  to  occupy  the  relation  of  servants, 
and  have  assigned  those  menial  and  domestic  olHces 
which  are  never  performed  by  men,  but  constitute 
the  employment  of  women.  To  be  compelled  to 
occupy  this  position  in  society,  was  very  mortify- 
ing to  the  Indian  pride  of  Doranto  ;  but  he  was 
somewhat  reconciled  to  it,  as  it  threw  him  in  the 
company  of  a  beautiful  daughter  of  the  chief,  whose 
name  vvas  Niargua.  He  was  not  permitted  to  go 
to  war,  or  to  hunt  the  buffalo,  the  elk,  and  the  an- 
telope, a  mode  of  life  too  tame  and  inactive,  it  was 
true,  for  his  restless  and  mettlesome  spirit,  but  then 
it  gave  him  frequent  opportunities  of  walking,  and 


^-jg^^^iw--*- 


mppvan^ 


64 


TIIR     !.  OHT    TRAPHKRS 


tnlkiriK,  and  ImiKhinx  with  the  'IVUm  dam»t'l  over 
whoH(!  Ii»'!ii1.  it  WMs  liin  >j()«)(l  (ortimc,  to  j^aiii  a  com- 
plete victory.     Hut  it  would  not  do  lor  the  daughtt-r 
of  a  distin^uiwhcd  chirl"  to  be  the  wife  of  a  captive 
alave,  bcdonging  to  a  tribe,  too,  agaitint  which  the 
chief  entertained  a    dcep-Hcated  hontility,  for  pant 
inHults  and  injuries.    This  woul<l  be  a  fhigrant  viohi- 
tion  of  every  notion  of  Indian  arintocracy.     By  the 
way,  the  mothr-r  of  the  young   princess,  who  had 
noticed  the  growing  familiarity  of  the  two  lovers, 
reported  the  matter  to  the  chief,  whose  duties  had 
kept  him  generally  from  home.     As  the  intelligence 
was  very  unexpected,  and  by  no  means  agreeable 
to  his   feelings,  his   daughter  was    not  only   very 
roughly  reproved,  but  a  severe  Hagellation  must  be 
inflicted    to     appease    his    wrath.      He    likewise 
threatened  to  shoot  an  arrow  through  Doranto  for 
his  bold  pretensions.     The  result  of  this  effort  "  to 
break  the  match,"  in  this,  as  in  similar  cases  in  civ- 
ilized life,  was  not  only  unsuccessful,  but  served  to 
increase  the  flame  it  was  intended  to   extinguish, 
and  to  strengthen,  instead  of  dissolving,  the  attach- 
ment between  the  parties.     If  their  partiality  for 
each  other  was  not  so  visible  and  open,  they  were 
not  the  less  determined  to  carry  out  their  designs. 
When  Doranto  perceived  that  difficulties  were  in 
the  way,  that  would  ever  be  insuperable  whilst  he 
remained  among  the  Tetons,  he  immediately  con- 
ceived the  bold  design  of  eloping  to  his  own  people, 
and  embraced  the  first  opportunity  to  apprise  his 
betrothed  of  his  thoughts.     The   proposition   met 
with  a  prompt  and  a  hearty  response  on  her  part, 


I  daniKC'l  over 
c)  iijHiii  a  cnrn- 

th«'  (iaughttT 
?  of  a  captive 
nut  which  the 
tility,  for  paHt 
lagrant  viohi- 
•acy.  By  the 
ess,  who  had 
le  two  lovers, 
)8e  duties  had 
e  intelligence 
ans  agreeable 
lot  only  very 
ation  must  be 

He  likewine 
h  Doranto  for 
this  effort  "  to 
r  cases  in  civ- 

but  served  to 
;o  extinguish, 
ig,  the  attach- 

partiality  for 
len,  they  were 

their  designs, 
ulties  were  in 
able  whilst  he 
nediately  con- 
is  own  people, 
to  apprise  his 
oposition  met 
36  on  her  part, 


T  II  K     I.  O  H  T     T  H  A  P  H  K  H  S  .  Hi 

She  was  ready  to  go  witli  him  wherever  he  went, 
and  t(»  (lie  where  h(^  <lii'd. 

IJut  there  was  a  young  warrior  among  the  Tetons 
who  also  desired  tin-  hand  of  the  Sioux  belle,  and 
greatly  j-nvied  the  position  Doranto  occupied  in  the 
eyes  of  Xifirgua.  Indeed  he  entertained  the  most 
deadly  hate  toward  the  I'awnee  captive,  and 
sufferf^l  no  opportunity  to  show  it,  to  pass  un- 
in,  proved.  Doranto  was  by  no  means  ignorant  of 
the  young  warrior's  feelings  of  Jealousy  and  hate, 
but  he  sensibly  felt  his  disabilities  as  an  alien  in  the 
tribe,  and  pursued  a  course  of  forbearance  as  most, 
likely  to  ensure  the  accomplishment  of  his  designs. 
Still  there  were  bounds  beyond  which  his  code  of 
honor  would  not  suffer  his  enemy  to  pass.  On  one 
occasion,  the  young  brave  olfered  Doranto  the 
greatest  and  the  most  intolerable  insult,  which,  in 
the  estimation  of  the  western  tribes  one  man  can 
give  to  another.  "  You  .v//7<A,"  were  the  offensive 
words  of  the  Teton  warrior,  embracing  the  great  in- 
dignity. 

The  person  upon  whom  this  indignity  is  cast,  by 
a  law  among  those  tribes,  may  take  away  the  life 
of  the  offender,  if  he  can  ;  but  it  is  customary,  and 
thought  more  honorable,  to  settle  the  difficulty  by 
single  combat,  in  which  the  parties  may  use  the 
kind  of  weapons  on  which  they  may  mutually 
agree.  Public  sentiment  will  admit  of  no  compro- 
mise. If  no  resistance  is  offered  to  the  insult,  the 
person  insulted  is  thenceforth  a  disgraced  wretch,  a 
dog,  and  universally  despised.  Doranto  forthwith 
demanded  satisfaction  of  the  young  Sioux,  who,  by 


'iU 


•j  :), 


I 


i'r'!j; 


THE     I,  O  S  T     T  R  A  r  r  K  R  S  . 


J: 


the  way,  was  "  cut  and  dry"  to  give  it,  being  full 
of  game  and  mettle,  as  well  as  sanguine  as  to  the 
victory  he  would  gain  over  the  young  Pawnee. 
They  agreed  to  settle  their  difficulty  by  single  com- 
bat, and  the  weapons  to  be  used  were  war-clubs 
and  short  knives.  A  suitable  place  was  selected. 
The  whole  village  of  the  Totons  emptied  itself  to 
witness  the  combat.  Men,  women  and  children 
swarmed  about  the  arena.  The  two  youthful  com- 
batants made  tiieir  appearance,  stark  naked,  and 
took  their  positions  about  I'.urty  yards  apart.  Just 
when  the  signal  was  given,  Doranto  caught  the  eye 
of  Niargua  in  the  crowd.  Then  said  he  "my  heart 
was  big  and  my  arm  strong ;  no  fear,  then,  in  Do- 
ranto." As  the  champions  advanced  towards  each 
other,  the  Sioux  was  too  precipitate,  and  by  the 
impulse  of  his  charge,  was  carried  ratlur  beyoml 
Doranto,  who,  being  more  cool  j.i.d  deliberate,  gave 
him  a  blow  with  his  war  club  a^^  he  passed,  on  the 
back  of  his  neck,  that  perfectly  stunned  Iiim,  and 
brought  him  to  the  ground.  Doranto  then  sprung 
upon  him  and  dispatched  him  by  a  single  thrust  of 
his  blade.  The  relatives  of  the  unfortunate  Sioux 
raised  a  loud  lament,  and  with  that  piteous  kind 
of  howling  peculiar  to  Indians,  bore  him  away. 
Doianto  was  now  regarded  as  a  young  brave,  and 
was  greatly  advanced  in  the  general  esteem  of  the 
village.  He  must  now  be  an  adopted  son,  and  no 
longer  a  woman,  but  go  to  war,  and  hunt  the  buf- 
falo, the  elk,  and  the  antelope. 

The  father  of  Niargua,  however,  in  this  matter, 
must  be  excepted.     In  the  general  excitement  in 


♦► 


3  it,  being  full 
nine  as  to  the 
)ung  Pawnee, 
by  single  com- 
vere  war-clubs 
I  was  selected, 
iptied  itself  to 
I  and  children 
youthful  com- 
irk  naked,  and 
Is  apart.  Just 
caught  the  eye 
J  he  "  my  heart 
ir,  then,  in  Do- 
l  towards  each 
te,  and  by  the 
rather  beyorid 
eliberate,gave 
passed,  on  the 
nned  Iiim,  and 
to  then  sprung 
single  thrust  ol" 
ortunate  Sioux 
,t  piteous  kind 
ire  him  away, 
ing  brave,  and 

esteem  of  the 
ed  son,  and  no 

hunt  the  buf- 

in  thi.'9  matter, 
excitement  in 


r  H  K     I.  O  ST     T  R  A  1'  1'  K  I.  S  . 


67 


behalf  of  the  lucky  captive,  he  lagged  behind,  and 
was  reserved  and  sullen.    Having  conceived  a  dis- 
like for  him,  he  was  not  inclined  to  confer  upon 
him  the  honors  he  had  so  fairly  won.      And  then  it 
would  not  do  to  appear  delighted  with  the  valor  of 
the   young   Pawnee.      iS'iargua   was   his   favorite 
child,  and  she  must  be  the  wife  of  some  distin- 
guished personage.     But  the  chief  was  doomed,  as 
many  a  lather  is,  to  be  out-witted  by  his  daughter, 
in  matters  of  this  kind.     At  a  time  when  he  was 
absent,  holding  a  council  with  a  neighboring  ti-ibe 
of  the  Sioux,  upon  great  national  affairs,  Doranto 
picked  out  two  of  the  chief's  best  horses,  on  which 
to  escape  with  his  girl  to  his  own  tribe.      Niargua 
was  ready.      When  the  village  was  sunk  in  a  pro- 
found sleep,  she  met  him  in  a  sequestered  place, 
bringing  a  supply  of  provisions  for  the  trip.     In  a 
moment  they  were   in  their   saddles    and   avv^ay. 
They  were  not  less  than  three  long  sleeps   from 
his  ow^n  people,  and  would  be  followed  by  some  of 
the  Tetons  as  long  as  there  was  any  hope  of  over- 
taking them.      By  morning,  however,  there  would 
be  such  a  wide  space  between  them  and  their  pur- 
suers, as  to  make  their  escape  entirely  practicable, 
if  no  mishap  should  befall  them  on  the  way.  "  They 
had  good  horses,"  said  Doranto,  "good  hearts,  good 
moon,  good  weather,  good  country  to  travel  over, 
and  above  all  a  good  cause,  and  why  not  good  luck." 
They  traveled  day  and  night,  never  stopping  any 
longer  than  was  absolutely  necessary  to  rest  their 
horses.     Captain  Williams  represented  the  Teton 
damsel  as  very  pretty,  but  very  young  for  an  un- 


J     \ 


1 1 


m 


f  It 


-'<«*WfV 


THE 


.  flST     TRAPPERS. 


dertaking  roquiring  ho  much  t^elf-denial,  patience, 
and  fortitude,  and  in  which  she  was  exposed  to 
great  fatigue  and  very  severe  toil.  Her  resolution 
was,  however,  quite  commensurate  to  her  difRcul- 
ties  and  trials. 

The  company  tried  to  prevail  upon  the  young 
Pawnee  to  stay  with  them  until  morning,  and  en- 
joy that  rest  and  refreshment  which  he  and  his  girl 
BO  much  needed  ;  but  he  replied  that  they  had  not 
slept  any  since  they  set  out  on  their  flight,  nor  did 
they  even  dare  to  think  of  closing  their  eyes  before 
they  should  reach  the  village  of  the  Pawnees.  He 
knew  that  he  would  be  pursued,  as  long  as  there 
was  the  faintest  hope  of  overtaking  him  ;  and  he 
also  knew  what  his  doom  would  be,  if  he  again 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Sioux.  Having  remained, 
therefore,  in  the  camp  scarcely  an  hour,  the  two 
fugitive  lovers  were  again  on  the  wing,  flying  over 
the  green  prairie,  guided  by  the  light  of  a  full  and 
beautiful  moon,  and  animated  and  sustained  by  the 
purity  of  their  motives,  and  the  hope  of  soon  reach- 
ing a  place  of  safety  and  protection.  The  party 
could  not  but  admire  the  courage  of  the  Teton 
beauty,  and  the  cheerfulness,  and  even  hilarity, 
that  she  manifested  while  in  their  camp.  When 
about  to  set  ofl',  she  leaped  from  the  ground,  unas- 
sisted, into  her  Indian  saddle,  reined  up  her  horse, 
and  was  instantly  beside  him  with  whom  she  was 
now  ready  to  share  any  trial  and  to  brave  any 
danger. 

What  an  exhibition  is  this  of  female  fortitude ! 
that  kind  of  heroism,  peculiar  to  the  sex,  which 


nial,  patience, 
iH  exposed  to 
ler  resolution 
o  her  (lifRcul- 

on  the  young 

ning,  and  en- 

le  and  his  girl 

they  had  not 

flight,  nor  did 

',ir  eyes  before 

'awnees.     He 

long  as  there 

him  ;  and  he 

c,  if  he  again 

ang  remained, 

hour,  the  two 

ig,  flying  over 

of  a  full  and 

stained  by  the 

of  soon  reach- 

1.     The  party 

of  the  Teton 

even   hilarity, 

lamp.     When 

ground,  unas- 

up  her  horse, 

k'hom  she  was 

to  brave  any 

nale  fortitude ! 
he  sex,  which 


T  II  K     I.  <i  ST     T  R  A  IT  K  RS. 

elevates  woman  to  a  summit  perfectly  inacci^ssible 
to  sublunary  difficulties,  and  enables  her  to  view, 
with  undisturbed  complacency  of  soul,  all  that  oc- 
curs beneath  her  feet.  What  an  auxiliary. to  man 
is  woman  !  in  bearing  his  quota  of  life's  trials  and 
difficulties,  and  how  does  she  light  up  his  dark 
hours  of  adversity  with  her  sunny  smiles  of  cheer- 
fulness, and  prompt  him  to  make  anot/ier  effort, 
whc-.i  and  where,  unassisted  and  unencouraged,  he 
would  have  yielded  to  despair. 


''  ■-M''.'j.  .J: 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Sioux  «nd  Sioux  country-Land  Pirates-Strength  of  the  Sioux- 
Doubtful  character  of  the  statetncnU  about  the  numbers  of  the  western 
tribes-Sioux's  intention  to  intercept  the  return  of  Big  White- Car- 
son  lost  again-His  horse  killed  in  a  buffalo  chase-Buffalo  hunting 
-Its  dangers-Strength,  activity  and  size  of  the  buffalo-Punty  and 
dryness  of  the  aUnos,,here_Indian  encampment-Amval  at  Fort 
ManJan. 

Having  reached  the  Platte  country,  Captain  Wil- 
liams wa«   aware   of  the  fact,  that  increasing  dan- 
gers beset  their  route,  and  that  he  was  now  in  a  re- 
gion full  of  hazard,  and  in  which  the  utmost  caution 
was  necessary  to  prevent  his  company  from  being 
cut  off.   The  greater  part  of  the  country,  at  that  day, 
between  the  river  Platte  and  the  Mandan  nation, 
was  infested  with   a  variety  of  tribes  of   Sioux, 
whose  predatory  habits  had  justly  secured  to  them 
the  title  of"  land  pirates,"  who  were  a  terror  to  all 
other  tribes,  on  account  of  their  superior  numbers 
and  their  savage  and  ferocious  disposition.     Lewis 
and  Clarke  represent  them  as  being  subdivided  into 
ten  tribes  ;  the  Yanktons,  Tetons,  Minnake-nozzo, 
Tetons   Saone,    Yanktons   of  the    Plains,    or    Big 
Devils,^  Wapatone,  IMindawarcarton,  Wahpatoota, 
or  Leaf  Beds,  and  the  Sistasoona :  and  by  means  of 
different  interpreters,  whilst  in  the  Sioux  country, 
they  learned  that  their  men  of  war  numbered  about 

(70) 


.•5»Nrnri,:' 


TH  K      I,  OH   r       IK  A  !•  I'  K  RS  . 


71 


;th  of  the  Sioux— 
mbcrs  of  the  weuterjj 
of  Big  White- Car- 
sc — Buffalo  hunting 
buffalo— Purity  and 
nt — Arrival  at   Fort 

,  Captain  Wil- 
increasing  dan- 
aa  now  in  are- 
utmost  caution 
any  from  being 
itry,  at  that  day, 
Mandan  nation, 
pibes  of   Sioux, 
secured  to  them 
•e  a  terror  to  all 
aperior  numbers 
orfition.     Lewis 
r  subdivided  into 
Minnake-nozzo, 
Plains,    or    Big 
)n,  Wahpatoota, 
and  by  means  of 
Sioux  country, 
numbered  about 


two  thousand  five  hundred,  hi  1H;U>  the  Sioux 
were  represented  as  iiunilx'riiig  about  ii7,()00  men, 
women  and  children.  A  suhseiiui-nt  account  speaks 
of  these  bauds  as  probably  numbering  from  40,000 
to  60,000.  We  are  disposed  to  receive  these  ac- 
counts, as  we  receive  all  statements  about  the  nu- 
merical strength  of  the  tribtis  of  the  far  west,  as 
very  uncertain.  Correctness  no  doubt  has  been 
aimed  at,  but  correctness  in  a  great  majority  of  cases 
can  not  be  attained.  One  thing  is  certain,  the 
Sioux  have  been  diminishing  very  fast.  Many  of 
the  tribes  have  been  broken  down,  and  lost  their 
names  ;  and  the  nation,  now  is  not  srch  a  formid- 
able body  of  freebooters  as  they  were  in  the  days 
of  which  we  are  treating. 

The  ten  tribes,  whose  names  we  have  furnished, 
were  scattered  up  and  down  the  Missouri  river,  and 
were  constantly  on  the  prowl,  scouring  the  country 
from  the  waters  of  the  Platte  to  the  Black  Hills  and 
the  Mandan  region.  They  were  very  hostile  to  the 
Maudans,  who  dwelt  above  them  on  the  Missouri, 
and  as  they  had  seen  Big  White  on  his  way  to  the 
states,  in  company  with  Lewis  and  Clarke,  they  ex- 
pected his  return,  and  were  on  the  alert  to  prevent 
his  going  back  to  his  nation.  They  entertained  the 
idea  that  the  whites  would  furnish  the  Mandana 
with  arms,  and  make  them  more  formidable  than 
they  were,  at  that  time.  For  this  reason  the  Sioux 
aimed  to  intercept  all  communication  between  our 
people  and  the  tribes  above  them.  And  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  subsequent  to  1807  they  resisted  all 
efforts  made  by  various  expeditions  to  push  their 


■w^'M^f" 


;  m 


72 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


way  to  those  upper  tribefl.  Captain  Williams  was 
fully  impresstdwith  the  fact,  that  the  difficulties 
that  were  before  him  were  much  greater  than  those 
his  party  had  already  encountered,  and  that  their 
vigilance  must  be  increased  and  every  expedient 
adopted  to  elude  the  observation  of  those"  land  pi- 
rates," through  whose  country  they  were  now  pass- 
ing. It  was  some  consolation  to  the  party,  that 
the  Sioux  expected  them  to  ascend  the  Missouri 
river,  and  in  all  probability,  the  gi-euter  part  of  their 
warriors  would  be  collected  on  that  river  to  drive 
them  back. 

For  this  reason,  and  another,  stated  in  another 
place.  Captain  Williams  left  the  Missouri  not  less 
than  one  hundred  miles  on  his  right,  and  thereby 
avoided  all  the  large  Indian  towns  on  that  river.  If 
he  should  fall  in  with  any  of  the  Sioux  on  the  route 
he  was  pursuing,  they  would  be  dispersed  hunting 
parties,  with  whom  he  would  be  able  to  cope,  if  it 
should  be  his  misfortune  to  be  involved  in  a  diffi- 
culty. Game,  too,  would  be  more  abundant  in  that 
region,  and  the  more  easily  and  safely  procured ; 
which  was  an  important  consideration,  as  the 
safety  of  the  party  required  that  they  should  push 
their  way  through  this  dangerous  country  with  all 
possible  speed. 

On  the  day  after  leaving  the  main  Tlatte,  a  bf.nd 
of  buffalo  were  observed  feeding  very  quietly  about 
the  fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  party,  offering  an  op- 
portunity for  those  who  desired  it  to  show  their 
horsemanship  and  skill  in  a  buffalo  hunt.  Although 
they  had  a  supply  of  meat,  and  it  was  the  purpose 


>  i>jlj«))i1'M»j:,;  ir- 


Villinms  was 
le  difticultica 
er  than  those 
nd  tlmt  their 
;ry  expedient 
ose  "  land  pi- 
re  now  pass- 
e  party,  that 
the  Missouri 
r  part  of  their 
river  to  drive 

id  in  another 
ouri  not    less 

and  thereby 
that  river.  If 
c  on  the  route 
irsed  hunting 

to  cope,  if  it 
Ived  in  a  difii- 
indant  in  that 
iely  procured ; 
ation,  as  the 
(  should  push 
untry  with  all 

Platte,  a  bf.nd 
,•  quietly  about 
>ffering  an  op- 
to  show  their 
ant.  Although 
as  the  purpose 


I  gl^nfcil»wiB^.»r.,«.  y. 


TIIK    I.O.ST    TRArri;R.s, 


73 


of  Captain  Williams  that  then;  .sliould  be  no  more 
shooting  than  was  necessary,  the  iiupetuou.s  youthi 
Carson,  begged  pt'i-mi.ssion  to  try  his  hand. 

The  captain  granted  hi.s  request,  as  it  was  near 
sun-set,  and  the  conq)any  came  to  a  halt  to  take 
their  usual  repast,  as  well  as  to  witness  tlie  ex- 
plclts  of  the  young  Xiinrod.  The  more  experienced 
men  of  the  company  urged  Carson  not  to  venture 
too  near  the  object  of  his  pursuit,  nor  too  far  from 
the  comj)any,  as  both  steps  would  be  accompanied 
with  much  danger.  The  young  man  felt  it  to  be 
the  safer  plan  to  nnderUike  the  matter  on  horse- 
back, and  as  the  rifle  is  not  easily  handled  when 
horse  and  buflalo  are  at  full  speed,  he  armed  him- 
self with  two  braces  of  pistols.  The  buffalo  very 
soon  observed  his  approach,  looked  frightened,  and 
put  off  at  quite  a  fast  gait.  This  made  it  neces- 
sary that  he  should  increase  the  speed  of  his  horse, 
and  immediately  hunter,  horse  and  buffalo  were 
out  of  sight. 

Having  refreshed  themselves  and  horses,  the 
party  would  have  resumed  their  journey,  but  Car- 
son had  not  returned.  A'ight-fall  came  on,  and  still 
he  did  not  make  his  appearance.  Many  unhappy 
fears  now  pervaded  the  camp  as  to  his  safety,  and 
the  suspicious  circumstances  of  his  absence  pre- 
vented the  men  generally  from  sleeping  that  night. 
Early  the  next  morning  some  of  the  men  went  to 
hunt  Carson,  and  without  much  difficulty  found  him. 
He  was  sitting  on  a  rock  near  a  small  stream, 
perfectly  lost.  Some  of  the  men,  when  looking 
for  him,  had  seen  him  when  about  a  mile  off,  and 
7 


'<■■    fM 


■  t'i  ■ 


74 


TIIK     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


HuppoHod  that  he  wa.  a,.  Indian,  a.  he  had  no  horHe, 
and  were  very  n.ar  loaving  him  to  h^.  late;  but  the 
thought    that   th.y   nuKht   b.   mistaken   prompcMl 
th.m  to  approach  hin.,  and  thty  rccoKn.zc.l  h.m. 
He  had  a  dote.ul  history  to  give  of  his  bv.lialo  hunt. 
According  to  his  account,  he  pursued  the  bu  iaio 
four  or  five  mih-s  bef..re  he  couUl   overtake  them^ 
At  first,  and  for  son.e  time,  he  could  not  ge    h  « 
horse  near  enough  to  use  his  pistols  w.th  any  ertect^ 
After  repeated   unsue.-essful  ellorts  to  ruU'.  up  by 
L  Bide  of  a  very  large,  bull,  he,   fell   .mnu-d.a  e ly 
behind  him,  firing  as  he  ran.       His  repeated    sho U 
threw  the   animal   into  the   greatest  rage,  and   a. 
bull,  horse  and  rider  were   in   full  dr.ve  down   the 
«ide  of  a  declivity,  the  infuriated  bulialo  st<.pped 
suddenly  and  wheeled   about  for  battle.      Carson  s 
horse,  not  trained  to  such  dangerous  exercises,  lol- 
lowing   immediately  behind,  and  at  the   moment 
perft-ctly  u.unanageable,  rushed  upon  the  horns  ot 
L  antagonist,  and  was  thrown   hea.llong  to  the 
ground,  with  his  rider.     When  he  had  recovered 
from  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  and  gamed  h.« 
feet  again,  Car..on  was  glad  to  s<-e  his  bulla lo  mov- 
ing oil-  as  fast  as  his  legs  could  carry  him ;  but  h.s 
horse  was  so  badly  wounded  that  he  could  be  of  no 
service  to  him.     When  he  called  to  his  recollectum 
his  party,  and  would  have    relurned   to  them,  he 
knew  not  the  way  to  go.     In  the  great  excitement 
of  the  chase,  he  paid  no  attention  to  the  direction 
he  was  going.     And  what  was  worse,  he  was  now 
on  foot,  and  several  miles  from  the  company,     lo 
be  lost  in  a  prairie  country  is  worse  than  being  lost 


iid  no  borne, 
fate ,  but  the 
n  prompted 
ignized  him. 
Iniiialo  hunt. 
I  the  buti'alo 
■rtake  them. 
i  not  get  hiH 
th  any  ellect. 
«)  ride  up  by 

immediately 
peatcd  phot» 
raj^e,  and  as 
ive  down  the 
ili'aU)  stopped 
le.  Carson's 
exercises,  iol- 

the   moment 
n  the  horn  a  of 
adlong  to  the 
had  recovered 
,nd  gained  his 
irt  bullah)  mov- 
)'  him  ;  i)ut  his 
could  be  of  no 
his  recoUectioii 
.(I   to  them,  he 
eat  excitement 
to  the  direction 
se,  he  was  now 

company.     To 

than  being  lost 


T  II  K     I,  OST     TRAPPRR8 


75 


in  woods.  His  horse  was  so  badl^  injured,  that  he 
abandoned  hlin  and  wandered  about,  when  he  crept 
into  a  hazel  patch,  wliere  he  slept  until  morning 
without  anything  to  disturb  his  rest  except  several 
bruises,  he  received  in  the  fall  from  his  horse.  At 
the  earliest  dawn  of  day,  he  crawled  out  of  his  hid- 
ing place,  and  very  cautiously  examined  the  sea  of 
prairie  around  him  to  ascertain  whether  any  Indians 
were  to  be  seen.  Observing  nothing  that  indicated 
danger,  he  set  out  in  search  for  his  party,  and 
tramped  about  and  around,  until  hunger  and  fa- 
tigue compelled  him  to  sit  down  where  he  had  been 
found.  As  they  returned  to  the  camp,  they  pa.^sed 
his  unfortunate  horse,  lie  was  dead,  and  a  band 
of  hungry  wolves  had  already  found  his  carcass  and 
were  greedily  snatching  and  gulping  his  flesh.  In 
fact,  the  men  thought  the  wounded  horse  had  been 
killed  by  the  wolves,  as  they  were  very  numerous 
and  fierce,  and  would  attack  a  horse  as  soon  as  any 
thing  else,  especially  if  they  were  incited  by  the 
smell  of  blood.  They  had  even  committed  violence 
upon  Carson's  saddle,  which  he  had  removed  from 
his  horse,  and  left  on  the  prairie,  for  want  of  a  tree 
in  which  to  secure  it.  They  frecpiently  get  together 
in  considerable  gangs,  and  when  emboldened  by 
numbers,  and  especially  when  infuriated  by  hunger, 
dreadful  is  the  fate  of  anything  that  crosses  their 
path.  The  unlucky  and  now  crest-fallen  hunter 
had  a  hundred  questions  to  answer  when  he  re- 
turned to  camp ;  nor  did  he  feel  like  being  taunted 
in  this  way,  as  he  had  fasted  for  the  last  twelve  or 
fifteen  hours,  had  undergone  great  fatigue,  and  re- 


}        ■  t 


— m 


n 


Tin;     I. (1ST     TRAITBRS- 


•    1 


ceived  Hinoral  severe  bruiHen  in  the  Imrgam.     The 
hor«e  wuH  H  favorite  animal ;  but  he  had  learned  a 
loHHcn  (.lM»u«h  dearly)  ihal  was  worth  a  number  ot 
horneH  In  him  and  the  company.     A  party  ot  raw 
„nd  inexperiene.d  m'en,  in  the.e  expedUionn   gene- 
rally buy  their  wit,  at  this  d.-ar  rate.     And  in    a 
majority  ofca.es  they  cannot  be  pr-vailed  upon  to 
prH'-tice   the   necessary  caution,  until   by  the  want 
of  it  they  are  betrayed  into  a  few  and  som.-tuTie. 
very  serious  dillicullies.     It  is  very  rash  an.l  ex- 
tremely hazardous  tor  a  sin^le  man  to  en-a«e  in  a 
bulfalo  chase  in   a  country  infested  with  prowhng 
bands  of  Indians,  whose  constant  aim  is  to  surprise 
and   kill      It  was  viewed  as  a  mere  accident  that 
Carson  was  not  kille.lby  the  builalo  hr  had  woun- 
ded or  that  he  had  not  fallen  into  the  hands  of  hos- 
tile'Indians.     When  he  set   olf  on  the   chase,  Big 
White  shook  his  head  by  way  of  disapprobation, 
and  as  prognostic  of  some  mishap  that  was  hkely 
to  befall  hi>n  ;  and  the  party  always  found,  that  the 
suggestions  of  the  old  Mandan  chief  could  not  be 
neglected  with  safety,  as  he  was  a  veteran  warrior, 
habituated  to  all  that  kind  of  unremitting  watchtul- 
ness,  that  an  Indian  begins  f.  (.racticc  irom  his  in- 
fancy. .  n 

We  have  said  that  it  was  very  dangerous  for  an 
inexperienced  hand  to  engf.ge  in  a  buUalo  hunt 
on  a  horse  that  Mas  not  been  trained  to  the  busi- 
ness A  well  trained  horse  will  always  bound  oil 
to  one  side  or  the  other  out  of  the  way  of  the  buf- 
falo, when  he  stops  to  fight,  and  it  frequently  hap- 
pens, if  the  rider  is  not  "  up  to"  the  quick  and 


**V:  V 


rufiiu.     The 
wl  U'liriicJ  a 
IV  nuinhfT  <»f 
larty  of  raw 
itionH,  gone- 
And  in    a 
iiln<l  upon  to 
by  the  want 
,d  soiru'liniCH 
•ash  and  cx- 
I  «'nj<ay;i'  in  a 
ith  prowling 
irt  to  surpriwe 
accident  that 
ic  had  woun- 
handi*  of  hos- 
le   chase,  Hig 
'appi'ohation, 
I  at  was  Ukely 
bund,  that  the 
r  could  not  be 
teran  warrior, 
ting  watchlul- 
e  I'rom  his  in- 

igerous  for  an 
I  bull'alo  hunt 
d  to  the  busi- 
ays  bound  off 
ay  of  the  buf- 
requently  hap- 
Lhe  quick  and 


T  ri  R    r,  o  s  T    T  R  A  p  r  K  R  H  , 


77 


sudden  movements  of  his  horse,  he  is  thrown  into 
the  niid.-'t  of  danger.  The  buffalo  stops  to  make 
battle  only  when  he  is  wounded  or  finds  escape 
inipossible.  He  then  wields  his  great  strength  and 
activity  in  self  defence.  We  have  read  a  number 
of  incid(!nts  said  to  have  occurred  in  buffalo  hunts, 
the  correctness  of  which  we  are  disposed  to  doubt, 
as  we  think  they  are  uniiuthorized,  from  what  we 
have  been  able  to  gather  Irom  men  who  have  spent 
the  half  of  their  lives  in  the  buffalo  country.  We 
have  alluded  to  their  great  strength  and  remarka- 
ble activity  and  (juickness  of  motion.  The  horse 
that  overtakes  them  must  be  very  fast,  and  then 
they  run  for  many  miles  over  the  plains,  without 
seeming  to  fail.  '  ♦'hen  broke  to  work  (a  thing  very 
easily  done)  one  buli'alo  will  break  down  three  or 
four  of  our  cattle.  This  has  been  fairly  and  fre- 
quently tried  on  the  frontier.  A  gentleman  living 
in  Missouri  informed  me  that  he  had  a  buffalo  bull 
that  could  work  all  day  on  an  inclined  plane,  whilst 
he  was  obliged  to  change  his  tame  cattle  every 
three  hours.  Anotlier  gentleman  in  the  same  re- 
gion of  country  had  a  buffalo  bull  that  w^ould  leap 
over  an  enclosure  eight  and  ten  rails  high,  without 
touching  it.  This  bull,  in  a  contest  with  one  of 
our  domestic  animals,  would  always  prove  himself 
victor  in  a  very  few  moments.  The  males  fre- 
quently attain  an  enormous  size,  and  it  is  no  un- 
common thing  to  see  on  the  plains  those  that  will 
weigh  three  thousand  pounds,  gross. 

As  they  were  favored  with  moon  light  and  very 
fine  weather,  the  company  thought  it  the  safer  plan 


Tt 


riir.   i.i'HT  TRArrr. UK. 


to   trnvt'l  (liirin;,'   tlic    iii^'ht,  wlirn    ciroutnHtJincrg 
were  ruv«)rul)U',  and  to  remain  tlie  Kreater  part  of 
the  day  in  a  nlate  of  inactivity,  at  Uiist  win  n  it 
would  be  ao('()rn|»aiiied  willi  niucli  danger  h.  nio\  e. 
They  iirocund  their  meat,  of  couiue,  during  the 
day,  and  enjoyed  their  repawt  at  the  Hanie  time,  an 
they  never  kindh-d  Hren   after  dark,  for  li>,'ht  in  c 
prairie  country  in  seen  a  «n:it  distance,  and,  more 
than  any  tiling  else,  would  lead  to  their  diHCovery. 
During  their  paHHage   through    uis  regiim  of  dan- 
ger, their  usual  way  was  to  travel  all  night,  until 
about  eight  o'ch)ck  the  next  morning,  when  they 
would  ricik  Bome  Bequestered  place  to  refresh  them- 
Belvea  and  horses.     They  always  occupied  an  atti- 
tude of  defence,  and  every  one  lay  with  his  arms 
beside  him,  whilst  they  never  failed  to  plant  tlieir 
scout  around  to  look  out  for  Indians.     They  slept 
by  turns,  and  never  more  than  half  of  tl'c  men 
slept  at  a  time.      In  this  way  they  travilcd   for 
twenty  days,  performing  a  greater  part  of  their 
journeyings  after  night.      tJame  was  very  abun- 
dant, but  they  killed  no  more  than  was  necessary 
to  furnish  themselves  with  meat. 

Their  nocturnal  movements  were  not,  howrver, 
without  interest,  nor  were  they  barren  in  mt«'ri.«t- 
ing  events.  In  those  regions  thi^  atmosuhtre  in 
very  pure  and  elastic,  and  the  sky  has  a  delightful 
blue,  in  which  cannot  be  seen  for  weeks  and  even 
months,  any  thing  like  vapour  or  clouds.  When 
the  moon  shone,  it  was  with  an  effulgence  almost 
equal  to  that  of  a  vertical  sun.     And  when  the 


ill 


■r  II  r.    i.»)  HT    r  "  >  •' ''  '■  ">*  • 


7U 


urnfttancp* 
•T  pnrt  of 
rtt  when  it 
T  In  move, 
liunng  the 
w  time,  HH 
li^ht  ill  c 
,  mid,  more 
•  diHCovfry. 
on  of  daii- 
ni^'ht,  until 
wln-n  th€'y 
frrnli  them- 
ied  an  atti- 
th  hiH  arms 
phint  tht'ir 
They  wlept 
»f  tl'C   men 
ravi'hd   for 
irt   of  th«ir 
very  abim- 
i  necessary 

)t,  b(nv«  ver, 
in  interist- 
[no»ijh»'re  is 
a  delightful 
C8  and  even 
lids.  When 
ence  almost 
id  when  the 


moon  did  not  favor  llinii  willi  hrr  W'aU^,  iIh-  utarry 
iiriiiaiiienl  nppearcil  witli  ii  liriliiauc.)  and  a  ulory 
which  thr\  liad  iiev«i  witne-Hcd  in  any  other  coun- 
try.    This  dryness,  purity,  .uid  ehisticity  of  atmos- 
phere, this  thii<Mous  transparent  blue,  said  to  hi - 
long  also  to   Italian  skies,  iiicrc^'ise  as  the  traveler 
approaeli.s  the  Uoeky  Mountains.     Th<!  usual  dry 
Reason  that  prevails  in  that  country  hud  already 
comineneed  ;  tlie  water  eoiirses  wi-re  very  low,  and 
threw   but  f<'W   obstruetions   in   tluir  way.      \'ast 
prairies    ^r«ne rally    spn-ad   around    tlain,  covered 
witli  a  luxuriant  growth  of  grass  and  wild  llowers. 
But  the  face  of  the  country  was  fnt|uently  cut  up 
by  de»'p,  dry,  ravines  or  gullies,  which,  l^ing  im- 
passable, made  the  route  sometimes  very  circuitous. 
Along  the  rich  bottoms  of  the  rivers  and  ravines 
were  groves  of  trees,  with  thick  entangled  under- 
growth, in  which  our  little  party  generally  sought  to 
hide  themselves  from  the  observation  of  the  i)rowl- 
ing,  free-booting  Sioux.     From  one  of  those   fast- 
nesses, in   the    latter   part  of  the   day   tiny  would 
secretly  and  silently  emerge  and  travcd  all  night, 
when  the  next  day  they  would  turn  aside  into  an- 
other of  these  hiding  places.     They  dispensed  with 
fire  h.^  often  aa  they  could,  as  the  smoke  ascending 
very  nitr^  :     '*•'■>'  ap'  to  attract  the  notice  of  Indi- 
ars.      i!it;\  l'ic(iuently  saw  bands  of  Indians,  that 
i.  ■  ariab'y'ht  -ered  about  their  route,  but  by  making 
.-haul  eucaii.ments  and  deceptive  tires,  and  then 
iitiveliup         light,  they  succeeded  in  escaping  the 
'.-■iik   '^^>  ■"   the  Arabs  of  the  west. 


.m 


*^^^df^ 


80 


THE     LOST    TRAI'PEBS. 


One  night  about  an  lionr  after  dark,  they  saw  be- 
fore them  a  light  that  indicated,  as  they  thought, 
an  Indian  encampment.  As  they  approached  it, 
they  found  that  they  were  not  mistaken.  Captain 
Williams  thought  it  the  safer  plan  for  his  party  not 
to  pass  very  near  their  camp,  and  when  within  a 
mile  of  it,  he  directed  his  men  to  come  to  a  halt, 
and  to  remain  where  they  were  until  he,  in  com- 
pany with  the  Mandan  chief,  would  approach  the 
camp  near  enough  to  make  some  observations. 
Accordingly,  accompanied  by  Big  White,  he  crept 
up  within  a  few  hundred  yards  and  reconnoitered 
their  camp  for  a  half-hour.  They  had  twelve  or 
fifteen  fires,  and  there  must  have  been  not  less 
than  one  hundred  Indians.  Some  were  lying  down, 
and  some  were  passing  to  and  fro,  whilst  others 
were  standing  around  the  fires.  A  portion  of  them 
were  squaws,  who  seemed  to  be  very  busy,  for 
Captain  Williams  discovered  they  were  a  hunting 
party,  who  were  procuring  meat  in  that  region, 
and  the  squaws  were  drying  it  for  winter.  He 
observed  their  long  poles,  on  which  tbey  exposed 
their  n^o^t  to  the  sun.  A  great  number  of  horses 
were  grazing  around  the  camp. 

Having  gratified  their  curiosity,  the  captain  and 
the  chief  quietly  made  their  way  back  to  their 
company,  fully  convinced  of  the  expediency  of 
getting  out  of  that  region  as  fast  as  their  horses 
could  cai  ry  them.  They  were  apprehensive  that 
these  saviges  might  observe  their  trail,  and  en- 
deavor to  overtake  them.     They  therefore  pu&hed 


;hey  saw  be- 
fiey  thought, 
proached  it, 
n.  Captain 
lis  party  not 
en  within  a 
e  to  a  halt, 

he,  in  com- 
ipproach  the 
ibservations. 
ite,  he  crept 
Rconnoitered 
d  twelve  or 
!en  not  lesa 

lying  down, 
,-hilst  others 
tion  of  them 
ry  busy,  for 
•e  a  hunting 
that  region, 
winter.  He 
bey  exposed 
er  of  horses 

captain  and 
ack  to  their 
pediency  of 
their  horses 
iiensive  that 
pail,  and  en- 
efore  pu&hed 


THE     LOST    THVPPERS. 


81 


ahead  all  that  night,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
next  day,  before  tliey  went  into  camp. 

Without  troubling  the  reader  with  all  the  inci- 
dents of  this  part  of  the  expedition,  we  will  state 
that  on  the  first  day  of  July  Captain  Williams,  with 
his  party,  arrived  safely  at  Fort  Mandan,  in  the 
Mandan  nation 


.--ii^mtfmatf 


•m^^^M 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Joy  of  the  Mandans  on  the  arrival  of  their  chief— Indian  gravity  and  si- 
lence— Their  niutuul  attachment — Their  grief  for  the  dead — Keposc 
of  the  party — They  resume  their  journey — Unlinown  danger  before 
them — Black-feet  Indians — Their  hoflility  to  the  whites — Yellow 
Stone — Hunter's  Elysium — Indian  caught  in  a  trap— Five  men  killed 
in  a  bufliilo  hunt  by  the  Black-feet — Danger  of  the  company — they 
leave  that  region — Crows— -One  of  their  men  leaves  them. 

Nothing  could  exceed,  saya  Captain  Williams,  the 
enthusiastic  joy  of  the  Mandans  upon  the  arrival  of 
their  old  and  much  loved  chief.  It  w^as  something 
they  had  not  expected,  as  they  had  heard,  (a  thing 
very  likely  to  occur)  that  he  had  been  killed  by  the 
Sioux,  together  with  the  party,  that  wore  conduct- 
ing him  home,  on  the  Missouri  river.  As  they  had 
believed  the  report,  knowing  as  they  did  the  hostile 
character  of  the  Sioux,  they  had  mourned  for 
their  lost  chief,  and  had  gone  through  the  usual 
forms  intended  to  express  their  sorrow  and  regard 
for  the  dead.  Their  surprise  was  equalled  only  by 
their  joy,  when  they  had  the  unexpected  pleasure 
of  again  looking  upon  the  face  of  their  venerated 
and  long-absent  hero.  They  received  him  as  di- 
rectly from  the  spirit  land,  and  as  one  from  the 
grave.  For  several  days,  the  excitement  produced 
by  his  arrival,  was  kept  up,  and  kept  everything  in 

(83) 


ian  gravity  and  si- 
the  dead — Keposc 
wn  danger  betbre 
c  whites — Yellow 
3— Five  men  killed 
lie  company — they 
s  them. 

Williams,  the 
the  arrival  of 
as  something 
jard,  (a  thing 
killed  by  the 
v'ere  conduct- 
As  they  had 
[id  the  hostile 
mourned  lor 
gh  the  usual 
w  and  reganl 
lalled  only  by 
cted  pleasure 
eir  venerated 
id  him  as  di- 
one  from  the 
tent  produced 
everything  in 


T  II  K     M )  S  T     T  R  A  I'  I'  K  R  S  .  ffj^ 

motion.  There  was  feasting,  and  tliere  was  dan- 
cing, throughout  the  village.  They  sang  their  wild 
chants,  and  whilst  they  extolled  the  faith  of  the 
whites,  in  bringing  back  their  chief  and  his  family, 
they  made  their  thanksgiving  sacrifices  to  the  Great 
Spirit,  for  that  protection  that  had  overshadowed 
their  old  warrior.  Runners  were  sent  to  other 
villages  in  several  directions  to  spread  the  news, 
and  for  several  days  hundreds  of  curious  visitors, 
consisting  of  men,  women  and  children,  came  to  see 
the  party  of  white  men,  and  especially  Big  White, 
who  now  in  their  eyes  was  something  superhuman. 
The  reader  may  be  ready  to  suppose  that  the  old 
acquaintances  of  Big  White  would  tease  him  al- 
most to  death  with  innumerable  questions  about  the 
country  of  the  white  man,  fr.  n  which  he  had  just 
returned  :  but  it  may  be  stated,  as  something  pecu- 
liar to  Indians  generally,  that  they  always  repress 
a  curiosity  of  this  kind,  and  conduct  themselves 
with  great  dignity,  gravity  and  silence,  when  one 
of  their  company  may  be  detailing  important  infor- 
mation. This  seems  to  be  a  part  of  their  educa- 
tion, and  a  rule  into  the  violation  of  which  they  are 
seldom  betrayed  by  any  kind  of  excitement.  In- 
dians, generally,  ai"e  prone  to  be  taciturn  and  grave, 
yet  their  natural  sensibilities  are  very  deep  and 
strong.  A  mutual  and  ardent  attachment  pervades 
the  whole  tribe,  however  numerous,  and  binds  them 
all  together  as  closely  as  brothers ;  and  although  a 
tribe  may  number  several  hundred,  if  any  one  dies 
or  is  killed  by  a  foe,  all  alike  give  themselves  up  to 
the  most  wild  and  extravagant  grief:  nor  does  the 


:;M^ 


mi' 


;  t« 


,1 . 

■1 ; 


84 


TUB    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


greatest  victory  over  their  enemies  in  battle  atone 
for  the  loss  of  a  single  warrior.  The  lamentations 
and  hovvlings  about  an  Indian  village  after  a  battle 
are  to  be  heard  in  every  direction,  although  they 
generally  aim  to  retire  to  some  sequestered  spot  to 
empty  the  heart  of  its  abounding  grief 

Irving,  in  his  Astoria,  alludes  to  this  practice 
among  the  western  tribes  in  the  following  beauti- 
ful language  :  "  But  sounds  of  another  kind  were 
heard  on  the  surrounding  hills  ;  piteous  wailings 
of  the  women,  who  had  retired  thither  to  mourn 
in  darkness  and  solitude  for  those  who  had  fallen 
in  battle.  There  the  poor  mother  of  the  youth- 
ful warrior,  who  had  returned  home  in  triumph  but 
to  die,  gave  full  vent  to  the  anguish  of  a  mother's 
heart.  How  much  does  this  custom  of  the  Indian 
women,  of  repairing  to  the  hill  tops  in  the  night, 
and  pouring  forth  their  wailings  for  the  dead,  call 
to  mind  the  beautiful  and  affecting  passage  of 
scripture,  '  In  Rama  was  there  a  voice  heard,  la- 
mentation, and  weeping,  and  great  mourning ;  Ra- 
chel weeping  for  her  children,  and  would  not  be 
comforted,  because  they  are  not.' " 

Big  White  made  a  long  speech  to  his  people,  in 
which  he  spoke  in  eloquent  terms  of  the  kindness 
with  which  he  w  as  received  by  the  whites.  He 
also  alluded  to  the  riches,  number,  and  great 
strength  of  our  people,  and  urged  upon  them  not 
only  the  necessity  of  maintaining  a  constant  peace 
with  us,  but  the  advantages  that  they  would  expe- 
rience from  the  existence  of  very  friendly  relations 
between  them  and  the  whites.    "  Brothers,"  said 


n 


H'tt 


^**,., 


battle  atone 
lamentations 
after  a  battle 
ilthough  they 
<tered  spot  to 
f. 

this  practice 
>\ving  beauti- 
ler  kind  were 
eons  wailings 
ler  to  mourn 
lo  had  fallen 
of  the  youth- 
n  triumph  but 
of  a  mother's 
of  the  Indian 
!  in  the  night, 

the  dead,  call 
g  passage  of 
ice  heard,  la- 
lourning;  Ra- 
would  not  be 

1  his  people,  in 
f  the  kindness 
B  whites.  He 
er,  and  great 
pon  them  not 
constant  peace 
y  would  expe- 
sndly  relations 
Brothers,"  said 


THE     LOST     TRAITEBS. 

he,  "  do  you  see  yon  prairie  (pointing  at  the  same 
time  to  a  prairie  several  n-.des  wide);  the  white 
man  has  a  gun  that  will  kill  Indians  across  that 
prairie.  "  He  had  reference  to  the  cannon  that  he 
had  seen  when  in  the  states. 

An  important  point  in  the  expedition  being  at- 
tained, and  a  long  and  perilous  journey  having 
brought  our  little  party  to  the  Mandan  country, 
they  once  more  felt  themselves  in  a  land  of  com- 
parative safety,  and  among  friends,  not  the  less 
friendly  because  tliey  were  savages.  They  were 
now  at  liberty  to  relax  themselves  from  that  in- 
tense vigilance  necessary  to  be  practiced  in  a 
country  full  of  danger,  and  to  give  to  themselves 
and  their  way-worn  horses  that  repose  which  they 
so  much  needed.  A  week,  however,  had  not  passed 
away,  before  Captain  Williams'  men  manifested  a 
restless  spirit,  and  were  anxious  again  to  launch 
into  the  boundless  wilderness,  the  great  terra  incog- 
nita that  was  before  them.  A  recollection  of  their 
past  good  fortune  greatly  animated  them,  whilst 
they  were  stimulated  by  the  prospects  that  were 
before  them.  They  fancied  that  all  danger  was 
behind  them,  in  the  land  of  the  piratical  Sioux, 
through  which  they  had  passed  without  difficulty. 
But  it  was  only  fancy  ;  delusive  fancy.  Little  did 
they  know  of  the  dangers  before  them,  and  the  un- 
expected and  formidable  foes  that  infested  the 
country  they  were  approaching.  Little  did  they 
dream  of  the  unhappy  fate  that  awaited  the  greater 
part  of  their  party.  When  they  left  the  Mandan 
country,  a  few  day's  travel   brought  them  to  the 


^i> 


I 


1^'  THE    LOST    TBAPPERS. 

country  over  which  rovea  and  prowls  the  ferocious 
Black-feet  Indians,  then  as  well  as  now  one  of  the 
most  cruel  and  relentless  tribes  of  the  far  west. 
For  the  Black-feet  Indian  is  an  embodiment  of 
every  quality  that  is  offensive  to  the  feelings  of 
civilized    man.      Lewis    and   Clarke,   in    passing 
through  their  country,   killed   one  of  their  tribe, 
which  act  created  an  implacable  hatred  for  the 
whites  from  that  day  till  this.     Of  the  hostility  of 
this  tribe  to  the  whites,  on  this   account,  Captain 
Williams'   men  were  not  apprized,  and  were  not 
expecting  to  meet  with  a  foe  writhing  under  the 
recollection  of  past  injuries,  and  who  had  sworn 
destruction  to  every  white  man  that  shouW  venture 
to  put  his  foot  upon  their  territory. 

We  would  state  that  it  was  the  object  of  captain 

Williams  and  his  party,  to  spend  the  approaching 

fall  and  winter  on  those  upper  rivers,  trapping  for 

beaver,  until  spring,  when  they  intended  to  push 

their  way  into  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  carry  on 

their  trapping  operations,  on  the  head  waters  of  the 

Columbia.     It  was  also  a  very  praiseworthy  object 

of  the   expedition  to  find  a  more  practicable  pass 

through  the  Rocky  Mountains,  than  the  route  of 

Lewis  and  Clarke.     Such  a  pass,  it  was  believed, 

could  be  found,  south  of  the  sources  of  the  Missouri. 

Wlien,  therefore,  they  reached  the  mouth  of  the 

Yellow  Stone,  they  turned  in  a  southwest  direction, 

following  the  n\eanderinga  of  the  river  last  named. 

Up  the   Yellow  Stone  they  journeyed  for  several 

days,  looking  for  a  region  where  beaver  were  very 

abundant.     Such  a  region  they  soon  found,  and  the 


s . 

Is  the  ferocious 
low  one  of  the 
■  the  far  west, 
imbodiment  of 
the  feelings  of 
ic,   in    passing 
of  their  tribe, 
hatred  for  the 
the  hostility  of 
ccount,  Captain 
,  and  were  not 
hing  under  the 
who  had  sworn 
t  shouVl  venture 

bject  of  captain 
he  approaching 
srs,  trapping  for 
tended  to  push 
ns,  and  carry  on 
ad  waters  of  the 
iseworthy  object 
practicable  pass 
an  the  route  of 
it  was  believed, 
I  of  the  Missouri. 
e  mouth  of  the 
thwest  direction, 
•iver  last  named. 
;yed  for  several 
leaver  were  very 
>n  found,  and  the 


THE     LOST     TnAPPERS, 


87 


traps  of  the  company  were  all  as  soon  scattered  up 
and  down  every  little  mountain  brook  and  branch 
for  several  miles  around.  In  the  meantime,  whilst 
some  were  consti'ucting  a  temporary  camp  and 
fortress,  others  were  beating  up  and  down  the  ad- 
jacent hills  and  hollows  in  the  pursuit  of  game. 
They  were  now  in  a  perfect  Elysium.  Buffalo,  elk, 
antelope,  white  and  black-tail  deer,  ah-sa/i-ta,  or 
big  horn,  could  be  seen  every  day  ;  and  the  innumer- 
able little  rills  around  abounded  with  fish  of  the 
finest  flavor.  In  the  way  of  trapping,  the  men  had 
a  great  run  of  good  luck,  for  every  morning,  nearly 
every  trap  in  the  neighborhood,  was  found  holding 
in  its  iron  jaws  a  fine  beaver.  These  were  the  em- 
ployments and  enjoyments  which  the  party  had 
long  craved,  and  they  now  had  them  in  the  greatest 
exuberance.  From  day  to  day,  the  men  were  va- 
riously engaged  in  trapping,  and  skinning  beaver, 
fishing  and  hunting,  eating,  laughing  and  jesting. 
Their  horses  also  were  recovering  very  fast  from 
the  effects  of  the  long  journey  they  had  performed, 
and  were  fattening.  Their  feet  and  backs  were 
getting  well  and  sound  again,  and  they  were  soon 
in  fine  plight.  The  party  had  seen  no  signs  of  In- 
dians to  excite  any  apprehensions  of  danger,  until, 
one  morning,  one  of  the  men  discovered  that  an  In- 
dian had  been  caught  in  a  trap,  from  which  how- 
ever, he  had  succeeded  in  extricating  himself,  as  it 
was  found  near  the  place  where  it  had  been  set. 
It  would  seem  that  the  savage  was  not  disposed  to 
carry  it  off,  but  was  satisfied  to  be  rid  of  a  thing 
that,  for  a  short  time,  at  least,  had  held  him  in 


1    ,1    ,   1, 


88 


T  11  K     LOST     T  R  A  P  P  K  R  S  . 


M' 


painful  custody.     He  no  doubt,  was  of  the  Black- 
feet  tribe,  and  had   been  sent    as    a  scout  to  pry 
into  the  condition  of  Captain  Williams'  camp,  and 
report  the  same  to   his   people,   as   another   and 
very  melancholy  event  which  we  will  record,  will 
prove.     A  day  or  two  after  this  Indian  was  taken 
in  a  trap,  some  of  the  men,  about  ten,  left  the  camp 
on  a  buffalo  hunt.     At  the  commencement  of  the 
chase,  the  buffalo  were  not  more  than  a  mile  from 
the  camp,  but  they  were  pursued  for  three  or  four 
miles,  which  led  the  men  into  danger.     A  company 
of  Black-feet,  numbering  at  least  one  h  iudred,  sud- 
denly appeared  on  horses  from  behind  a  covert  of 
trees  and  undergrowth,  and  dashed  toward  the  men 
as  they  were  scattered  over  a  plain  pursuing  and 
shooting  the  buffalo.    Five  of  the  men  being  on 
fast  ho-ses,  and  flying  at  the  top  of  their  speed,  were 
able  to  effect  their  escape,  but  the  others  were  in- 
tercepted by  the  savages,  and  their  escape  to  the 
camp  cut  off.    They  fell  an  easy  prey  into  their 
hands,  and  were  in  all  probability  tlie  first  whites 
that  were  killed  by  that  tribe,  and  killed,  too,  to  ap- 
pease the  vengeance  awakened  against  the  whites 
by  the  act  of  Lewis  and  Clarke.     The  five  men  who 
made  their  escape,  were  pursued  within  the  half  of 
a  mile  from  the  camp  by  several  of  the  Black-feet. 
One  of  these  savages  manifested  a  disposition  to 
follow  the  men  into  the  very  camp   of  our  little 
party,  after  the  others  had  wheeled  their  horses  and 
were  returning  to  the  main  body  of  their  party. 
But  he  paid  dearly  for  his  rashness.     One  of  the 
men,  whose  gun  happened  to  be  loaded,  stopped  his 


of  the  Black- 
scout  to  pry 
is'  camp,  and 
another   and 
11  record,  will 
m  was  taken 
left  the  camp 
lament  of  the 
1  a  mile  from 
'  three  or  four 
A  company 
h  indred,  sud- 
id  a  covert  of 
)ward  the  men 
pursuing  and 
men  being  on 
sir  speed,  were 
thers  were  in- 
escape  to  the 
rey  into  their 
;he  first  whites 
[led,  too,  to  ap- 
inst  the  whites 
e  five  men  who 
liin  the  half  of 
the  Black-feet. 
I  disposition  to 
}   of  our  little 
heir  horses  and 
of  their  party. 
!8.     One  of  the 
led,  stopped  his 


■KMMI 


T  H  K     I-  O  8  T     T  R  A  P  P  K  n  .S  .  Wif 

horse,  and  sent  a  ball  whizzing  through  his  body 
which  caused  him  to  tumble  from  hi.s  horse,  dead. 

The  loss  of  five  men,  sustained  by  a  party  num- 
bering only  twenty  at  first ;  the  killing  of  one  of 
their  band,  which  would  rouse  the  vengeful  feel- 
ings of  those  savages  to  a  still  greater  pitch,  and 
the  fact  that  so  large  a  party  of  those  ruthless 
marauders  was  in  their  immediate  vicinity,  made 
the  situation  of  Captain  Williams  and  his  now  re- 
duced party  very  critical  and  hazardous  indeed.  A 
consultation  was  immediately  held,  and  they  deter- 
mined to  leave  that  night,  as  it  would  be  very  un- 
safe to  remain  there.  Indeed  they  expected  every 
moment  to  see  the  whole  body  of  the  Black-feet 
coming  upon  them,  especially  if  they  had  any 
knowledge  of  the  size  of  their  little  party ;  but  if 
they  did  not  know  the  strength  of  Captain  Wil- 
liams' party  they  would  be  more  cautious,  as  Indi- 
ans rarely  run  dangerous  risks.  They  were,  how- 
ever, now  certain  of  one  thing,  and  that  was,  they 
had  been  watched  by  the  scouts  of  the  Black-feet 
for  several  days,  as  they  had  observed  something 
several  times  on  the  summit  of  an  adjacent  moun- 
tain, among  the  rocks,  peering  the  country  below, 
which  they  had  supposed  was  wolves,  but  which 
was  most  probably  Indians,  examining  their  loca- 
tion, and  endeavoring  to  ascertain  their  strength. 

The  melancholy  event  that  we  have  just  detailed 
took  place  in  the  latter  part  of  the  day,  so  that  it 
was  not  long  before  the  little  party  of  Captain 
Williams  was  under  the  covert  of  night.  All  the 
horses  were  brought  in  when  the  alarm  was  first 


h  v.\ 


nj 


i^^^igMmm^f^^^M^F^- 


lii 


90 


T  II  K     1. 1>  S  T     T  K  A  l"  1>  i;  U  S 


in 


given.  Wlirn  night  camt-  on,  all  ImiidH  wcro  busy 
collecting  their  traps  and  making  ready  for  their 
departure  that  night  as  soon  as  poHHii)le.  Large 
and  numerous  (ires  were  made  to  deceive  the  en- 
emy, from  which  the  men  withdrew  at  Uiast  a  mile, 
where  they  remained  until  they  were  ready  to  set 
off.  About  midnight  they  leaped  into  their  saddles 
and  set  out  south.  They  traveled  as  fast  as  they 
could  for  twenty-four  hours,  without  giving  repose 
to  themselves  or  horses.  Tlieir  journal  states  that 
tliey  soon  reached  the  country  of  the  Crow  Indians, 
who  were  very  friendly  to  the  whites  at  that  time. 
At  one  of  the  villages  of  these  Indians  they  re- 
mained about  a  week,  during  which  time  they  took 
a  buffalo  hunt;  but  as  they  desired  to  reach  a 
country  where  beaver  were  more  abundant  than  in 
that  of  the  Crows,  they  continued  to  travel  south, 
under  the  east  side  of  the  Kocky  Mountains,  until 
they  came  to  the  sources  of  the  Platte.  This  route, 
the  Crows  informed  them,  was  greatly  to  be  pre- 
ferred if  they  wished  to  penetrate  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  beaver  were  very  abundant. 

We  will  conclude  this  chapter  by  stating  that 
one  of  Captain  Williams'  men,  whose  name  was 
Rose,  expressed  his  intention  to  abandon  his  party 
and  remain  among  the  Crows.  It  appears  that 
whilst  the  men  were  in  the  Crow  village.  Rose  was 
not  able  to  resist  the  charms  of  a  certain  Crow 
beauty,  whom  he  afterwards  selected  as  his  wife, 
and  with  whom  he  lived  for  several  years.  We 
will  give  some  account  of  this  man  Rose  in  the 
next  chapter,  as  he  was  an  egregious  chwacter  in 
the  history  of  those  times. 


*  -Jwafc-M     t   iiiiMWI 


il 


likIh  wrro  busy 
H'luly  I'or  their 
)Hfihle.  Large 
ileci'ivc  the  en- 
at  least  a  mile, 
re  ready  to  set 
to  their  Hadcllea 
as  last  an  they 
;  (giving  repose 
rnul  states  that 
!  Crow  Indians, 
;s  at  that  time, 
idians  they  re- 
time they  took 
•ed  to  reach  a 
mndant  than  in 
,0  travel  south, 
lountains,  until 
te.  This  route, 
atly  to  be  pre- 
16  Rocky  Moun- 
mt. 

by  stating  that 
lose  name  waa 
andon  his  party 
It  appears  that 
llage,  Hose  waa 
a  certain  Crow 
ted  as  his  wile, 
ral  years.  We 
in  Rose  in  the 
lus  character  in 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Rote,  the  icape-goat  tcfiinee— The  Urow  Indiang,  and  a  Crow'i  dee- 
criiitjon  of  their  country.  ^ 

The  character  of  Hose  waa  not  known  to  Cap- 
tain Williams  when  he  joined  his  party.  "  This 
fellow,  it  appears,  was  one  of  those  desperadoes 
of  the  frontiers,  outlawed  by  their  crimes,  who 
combine  the  vices  of  civilized  and  savage  life,  and 
are  ten  times  as  bad  as  the  Indians,  with  whom 
they  consort.  Rose  had  formerly  belonged  to  one  of 
the  gangs  of  pirates  who  infested  the  islands  of  the 
Mississippi,  plundering  boats  as  they  went  up  and 
down  the  river,  and  who  sometimes  shifted  the 
scene  of  their  robberies  to  the  shore,  waylaying 
travelers  as  they  returned  by  land  from  New  Or- 
leans, with  the  proceeds  of  their  downward  voy- 
age ;  plundering  them  of  their  money  and  effects, 
and  often  perpetrating  the  most  atrocious  murders." 

These  hordes  of  villains  being  broken  up  and 
dispersed,  Rose  betook  himself  to  the  upper  wil- 
derness, and  when  Captain  Williams  waa  forming 
his  company  at  St.  Louis,  this  fellow  came  forward 
and  offered  his  services.  Captain  Williama  ob- 
served that  he  had  a  sinister  look,  and  suspected 
that  his  character  was  not  too  fair,  but  it  was  diffi- 
cult to  get  men  to  join  an  expedition  so  daring  and 


'W' 


02 


THE     LOST     ThAPPKRS, 


r 


full  of  danger.     He  waH  dropped  among  the  Crows 
(or  UpHarokart,  aa  they  are  somctimeH  called,)  a 
race  of  Bavages  whoHC  habitudes  of  life  were  much 
more  congenial  to  the  feelings  of  nuch  a  man  as 
UoBC  than  the  reatraintB  of  civilized  life.     He  took 
several  of  their  women  as  wives, :  y  whom  he  had 
children,  and  became  a  great  miin  among  them. 
As  he  lived  among  the  Crows  several  years,  he 
could  speak  their  language  very  fluently,  and  had 
a  very  general  knowledge  of  the  extensive  country 
ranged  by  these  Indians.     In  the  year  1810  or  11, 
he  was  picked  up  somewhere  on  the  Missouri,  by 
Mr.  Hunt,  who  was  at  that  time  on  an  expedition 
across  the  Rocky  Mountains.    From  his  knowledge 
of  the  Crow  country  and  the  Crow  language,  and 
from  the  fact  of  his  affiliation  with  that  tribe,  Mr. 
Hunt  thought  he  might  be  of  great  service  to  him 
whilst  passing  through  their  country,  and  in  any 
intercourse  he  might  have  with  them.     Rose  was 
therefore  engaged  as  guide  and  interpreter  when 
Hunt's  party  should  reach  the  country  of  the  Crows, 
He  had  been  attached   to  this   party  but  a  few 
days  before  he  began  to  exhibit  his  dark  and  per- 
fidious spirit,  by  tampering  with  the  fidelity  of  cer- 
tain of  the  men,  and  suggesting  to  them  a  design 
he  had  been  concocting  in  his  own  mind,  in  which 
he  wished  them  to  co-operate  with  him.     The  plan 
of  this  treacherous  scoundrel  was,  that  several  of 
the  men  should  join  with  him,  when  in  the  Crow 
country,  in  deserting  to  those  Indians,  taking  with 
them  as  many  horses  and  goods  as  they  could.   He 
assured  the  men  of  the  kindest  reception  among 


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THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


93 


the  Crows,  with  whose  principal  chief  he  was  well 
acquainted,  and  tempted  them  by  artful  stories  of 
the  honors  and  privileges  they  would  enjoy.     They 
could  have  the  handsomest  women  and  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  chiefs  for  wives,  and  as  many  as  they 
pleased.      This  plan,  too,  would  set  them  up  for 
life.     When  the  treachery  of  this  vagabond  became 
generally  known,  =t  cicated  much  anxiety  in  the 
breasts  of  Mr.  Hunt  and  his  friends,  as  they  were 
sensible  that  he  might  do  them  much  mischief,  as 
he  could  succeed  in  carrying  out  his  nefarious  de- 
signs if  he  could  seduce  some  of  the  men  to  co-op- 
erate with  him.     An  affair  of  this  kind  might  be 
ruinous  to  the  expedition.     To  divert  the  mind  of 
Rose  from  his  wicked  thoughts,  and  to  tempt  him 
to  give  up  his  perfidious  purposes,  Mr.  Hunt  treated 
him  with  great  attention  and  kindness.     He  told 
him  that  in  parting  with  him  in  the  Crow  country, 
he  would  pay  him  half  a  year  s  wages  in  consid- 
eration of  his  past  services,  and  would  give  him  a 
horse,  three  beaver  traps,  and  sundry  other  articles 
calculated  to  set  him  up  in  the  world. 

This  liberal  proposition  had  the  desired  effect,  and 
from  that  time  the  whole  deportment  of  Rose  under- 
went a  change.  He  was  no  longer  that  surly,  sul- 
len, silent,  designing  fellow.  Ever  after  he  was 
cheerful,  and  seemed  honestly  to  desire  the  success 
of  the  expedition.  Still  it  was  the  fixed  purpose  of 
some  of  Hunt's  party,  that  if  Rose  showed  the  least 
inclination  to  carry  out  his  knavish  designs,  to  shoot 
the  desperado  on  the  spot.  Whilst  among  the 
Crows,  however.  Rose  exhibited  no  bad  feelings 


I    ; !, 


:WSiU»BfiE»"- 


94 


THE     LOST     T  R  A  P  1'  E  R  8  . 


towards  the  party,  and  when  they  took  their  leave 
of  those  savages,  Mr.  Hunt  consigned  him  to  their 
cherishing  friendship  and  fraternal  adoption  as  their 
worthy  and  old  confederate 

"Rose  was  powerful  in  frame  and  fearless  in 
spirit,  and  very  soon  by  his  daring  deeds,  took  his 
rank  among  the  first  braves  of  the  tribe."  Nothing 
but  daring  deeds  and  desperate  exploits  in  the  •esti- 
mation of  an  Indian,  will  make  a  brave.  In  re- 
peated actions  of  the  Crows  with  the  Black-feet, 
Rose  won  many  laurels.  On  one  occasion,  it  is 
said,  "  a  band  of  those  savages  had  fortified  them- 
selves within  abrcastwork  and  could  not  be  harmed. 
Rose  proposed  to  storm  the  work.  '  Who  will  take 
the  lead,'  was  the  demand.  '  I,'  cried  he,  and  put- 
ting himself  at  their  head  rushed  forward.  The 
first  Black-foot  that  opposed  him,he  shot  down  with 
his  rifle,  and  snatching  up  the  war-club  of  his  vic- 
tim, killed  four  others  within  the  fort.  This  victory 
was  complete,  and  Rose  returned  to  the  Crow  vil- 
lage covered  with  glory,  and  bearing  five  Black-foot 
scalps,  to  be  ert  ted  as  a  trophy  before  his  lodge. 
From  this  time  he  was  known  among  the  Crows,  by 
the  nanis  of  Che-ku-kaats,  or  '  the  man  who  killed 
five.' "  The  Crows  and  Black- feet  have  always  been 
the  most  implacable  and  deadly  foes ;  this  daring 
deed  of  Rose,  therefore,  would  naturally  make  him 
a  popular  idol  of  the  village.  But  Indians,  like  white 
people,  are  invidiou»  beings.  The  popularity' of 
Rose  awakened  the  envy  of  the  native  braves.  He 
was  a  white  man,  and  interloper.  Tv/o  rival  parties 
sprung  up, between  whom  there  were  feuds  and  civil 


^n 


US. 

took  their  leave 
ned  him  to  their 
idoption  as  their 

and  fearless  in 
deeds,  took  his 
ribe."  Nothing 
loits  in  the  «sti- 
i  brave.  In  re- 
i  the  Black-feet, 
B  occasion,  it  is 
,d  fortified  them- 
d  not  be  harmed. 
'  Who  will  take 
ied  he,  and  put- 
i  forward.  The 
e  shot  down  with 
p-club  of  his  vic- 
rt.  This  victory 
to  the  Crow  vil- 
g  five  Black-foot 
before  his  lodge, 
ng  the  Crows,  by 
man  who  killed 
ave  always  been 
be 3  ;  this  daring 
urally  make  him 
idians,  like  white 
e  popularity' of 
tive  braves,  lie 
Pv/o  rival  parties 
re  feuds  and  civil 


T  H  E     LOS  I"     T  R  A  1'  r  li  R  S  . 


96 


wars  that  lasted  for  two  or  three  years,  until  Rose 
having  contrived  to  set  his   adopted  brethren  by 
the  ears,  left  them  and  went  down  the  Missouri,  in 
1823.     He  afterwards  enlisted  as  guide  and  inter- 
preter, for  Fitzpatrick  and  Sublette,  who  conducted 
a  trapping  expedition,  sent  by  General  Ashly  across 
the  mountains.     When  they  got  among  the  Crows, 
he  was  able  to  some  extent  to  revive  his  popularity, 
by  being  very  liberal  and  kind  among  his  old  ac- 
quaintances, at  the  expense,  however,  of  the  expe- 
dition.    This  company  was  robbed  of  their  horses, 
when  in  the  Green  river  valley,  and  it  was  believed 
that  this  man  Rose  had   a  hand  in  the  matter. 
When  General  Atkinson  went  up  the  Missouri  in 
1825,  he  met  with  Rose  among  the  Crows,  who  as 
usual,  was  a  personage  of  much  consequence  among 
them.     He  is  represented  as  suppressing  a  chance- 
medley  fight,  that  was  on  the  point  of  taking  place 
between  the  military  of  General  Atkinson  and  those 
savages.     It  appears   the  Crows  contrived  to  stop 
the  touch-holet,  of  the  field  pieces  of  the  expedition 
with  dirt,  and  then  became  very  insolent.     A  tumult 
arose,  and  blows  began  to  be  dealt  out.     As  the 
Crows  were  evidently  in  the  fault.  Rose  grasped  his 
fusee  and  broke  the  stock  of  it  over  the  head  of  a 
brave,  and  laid  so  vigorously  about  with  the  barrel 
that  he  soon  put  the  whole  throng  to  fiight.     Here 
the  affair  ended.     Of  the  subsequent  history  of  this 
voluntary  exile  from  civilized  life,  but  little  is  cer- 
tainly known.     Some  reports  say  that  he  died  of  a 
disease  brought  on  by  his  licentious  life ;  and  others 
state  that  he  was  killed  by  some  of  his   adopted 


Hi 


!     n 


<w»u lHIIWiWIl 


06 


THE     LOST    TRAPI'ERS, 


brethren,  the  Crows.  He  is  said  to  have  taught 
the  Crows  the  policy  of  cultivating  the  friendship 
of  the  white  men .  A  policy ,  which  they  still  observe 
to  some  extent,  since  the  death  of  Rose.  "If  we 
keep  friends  with  the  white  men,  said  one  of 
their  chiefs,  we  have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  Black- 
feet,  and  can  rule  the  mountains."  So  much  about 
Rose,  the  heroic  vagabond  and  renegado. 

Whilst  we  are  with  Captain  Williams,  among 
the  Crows,  we  will  state  a  few  things  about  those 
savages,  and  the  couiitry  over  which  they  range. 
The  Crows  are  to  be  found  on  the  west  of  the  Mis- 
souri, and  on  and  along  the  east  side  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  although  they  often  cross  the  Mountains 
on  their  predatory  excursions,  which  they  are  con- 
stantly making.     They  perhaps  excel  all  tribes  of 
the  west  in  their  roving,  wandering  habits,  and 
horse-stealing  propensities.    They  not  only  scour 
the  country  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  for  sev- 
eral hundred  hundred  miles,  but  they  are  often  on 
the  wing  along  the  head  waters  of  the  Columbia, 
carrying  on  their  plundering   and    horse-stealing 
operations.     The  horse  is  the  idol  of  the  Crow  In- 
dians, and  their  skill  and  audacity  in  stealing  this 
animal  ia  said  to  be  astonishing.    It  is  the  business 
of  their  lives,  and  their  glory  and  delight.     An  ac- 
complished horse-stealer  fills  up  their  idea  of  a 
hero.     They  are  called  Crows,  because  they  are  al- 
ways on  the  scamper  and  the  foray,  and  like  the 
bird  of  the  same  name,  winging  their  roguish  flight 
from  one  region  to  another.     A  Rocky  Mountain 
trapper,  with  whom  I  met  on  the  frontier  of  Mis' 


—fiji'l 


have  taught 
the  Iriendship 
ly  still  observe 
lose.     "If  we 

said  one  of 
am  the  Black- 
o  much  about 
ido. 

llama,  among 
•I  about  those 
h  they  range. 
sst  of  the  Mis- 
of  the  Rocky 
the  Mountains 
they  are  con- 
;1  all  tribes  of 
ig  habits,  and 
lot  only  scour 
itains  for  sev- 
y  are  often  on 
the  Columbia, 
horse-stealing 
r  the  CrovkT  In- 
n  stealing  this 
is  the  business 
light.  An  ac- 
leir  idea  of  a 
se  they  are  al- 
y,  and  like  the 
r  roguish  flight 
Dcky  Mountain 
rontier  of  Mis" 


Tin;      LOST     TRAPPERS. 


97 


aourl,  and  who  had  spent  several  years  as  a  free 
trapper  in  thi;  Hlack  Hills  and  Uocky  Mouiitainrt, 
told  me  that  he  once  accompanied  a  party  of 
Crows  across  the  mountains,  whose  object  was  to 
steal  horses.  It  was  at  a  time  of  the  year  when 
trapping  is  suspended  (.lune,  July  and  August.)  He 
had  nothing  to  do,  and  therelbre  accompanied  this 
party  merely  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the  country 
and  witnessing  their  mode  of  operating  in  their  fa- 
vorite employment.  They  were  gone  about  eight 
weeks,  and  returned  with  eighty  horses.  My  infor- 
mant thought  they  were  generally  taken  from  the 
lower  Nez  Perces,  and  also  the  white  settlers  on 
the  waters  of  the  Columbia.  They  performed  this 
trip,  stole  this  number  of  horses,  and  returned,  and 
such  was  their  adroitness  and  skill,  that  they  did 
not  meet  with  a  single  difHculty.  The  Cn-ws  were 
once  a  numerous  and  powerful  tribe  of  Indians, 
but  their  constant  wars  with  the  Black-feet,  and 
their  roving  and  p» adatory  habits,  aie  wearing  them 
away  very  fast.  They  seem  doomed  to  that  ten- 
dency to  extinction  which  is  to  be  seen  among  all 
the  western  tribes. 

I  will  take  the  privilege  of  g'ving  a  very  inter- 
esting account  of  the  Crow  country,  which  is  to  be 
found  in  Captain  Bonneville's  notes,  prepared  for 
publication  by  Irving.  Il  is  a  description  of  the 
Crow  country,  given  by  a  Crow  chief,  Arapooish,  to 
Mr.  Robert  Campbell,  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Fur 
Company :  "  The  Crow  country,"  said  he,  "  is  a 
good  country.  The  Great  Spirit  has  put  it  exactly 
in  the  right  place ;  while  you  are  in  it,  you  fare 
0 


i-  MS 


-i- 


08 


THE     LOST    TRAPPERS 


ir 


well ;  whenever  you  go  out  of  it,  which  ever  way 
you  travel,  you  will  fare  worse.  ^ 

"  If  you  go  to  the  south,  there  you  have  to  wan- 
der over  great  barren  plains ;  the  water  is  warm 
and  bad,  and  you  meet  the  fever  and  a^rue. 

«To  the  north  it  is  cold  ;  the  winters  are  long 
and  bitter,  with  no  grass  ;  you  cannot  keep  horses 
there,  but  must  travel  with  dogs.  What  is  a  coun 
try  without  horses ! 

«  On  the  Columbia  they  are  poor  and  dirty,  pad- 
dle about  in  canoes,  and  eat  fish.  Their  teeth  are 
worn  out;  they  are  always  taking  fish-bones  out 
of  their  mouths.     Fish  is  poor  food. 

«  To  the  east  they  dwell  in  villages  ;  they  live 
well  •  but  they  drink  the  muddy  water  of  the  Mis- 
Bouri-that  is  bad.     A  Crow's  dog  would  not  dnnk 

such  water.  , 

"About  the  forks  of  the  Missouri  is  a  fine  coun- 
try ;  good  water,  good  grass,  plenty  of  buffalo.  In 
summer  it  is  almost  as  good  as  the  Crow  country  ; 
but  in  winter  it  is  cold,  the  grass  is  gone,  and  there 
is  no  salt  weed  for  the  horses. 

«  The  Crow  country  is  exactly  in  the  right  place. 
It  has  snowy  mountains  and  sunny  plains ;  all 
kinds  of  elimate,  and  good  things  for  every  season. 
When  the  summer  heats  scorch  the  prairies,  you 
ran  draw  up  under  the  mountains,  where  the  air  is 
sweet  and  eeol,  the  grass  fresh,  and  the  bright 
streams  come  tumbling  out  of  the  snow  banks 

«  There  you  can  hunt  the  elk,  the  deer,  and  the 
antelope,  when  their  skins   are  fit  for  dressing ; 


liich  ever  way 

.  have  to  wan- 
water  is  warm 
I  a^e. 

nters  are  long 
ot  keep  horses 
Vhat  is  a  coun 

and  dirty,  pad- 

Their  teeth  are 

fish-bones  out 

ages  ;  they  live 
iter  of  the  Mis- 
would  not  drink 

i  is  a  fine  coun- 

r  of  buffalo.    In 

}  Crow  country  ; 

gone,  and  there 

I  the  right  place, 
nny  plains ;  all 
fcr  every  season, 
the  prairies,  you 
,  where  the  air  is 
,  and  the  bright 
snow  banks. 
;he  deer,  and  the 
fit  for  dressing; 


THE     LOST     TRAPl'KRS, 


99 


there  you  will  find  plenty  of  white  bears  and 
mountain  sheep. 

"  In  the  autumn,  when  your  horses  are  fat  and 
strong  from  the  mountain  pastures,  you  can  go 
down  into  the  plains  and  hunt  the  buffalo,  or  trap 
beaver  on  the  streams.  And  when  winter  comes 
on,  you  can  take  shelter  in  the  woody  bottoms, 
along  the  nvers  ;  there  you  will  find  buffalo  meat 
for  you' selves,  and  cotton-wood  bark  for  your 
horses ;  or  you  may  winter  in  the  Wind  river  val- 
ley, where  there  is  salt  weed  in  abundance. 

"  The  Crow  country  is  exactly  in  the  right  place. 
Every  thing  good  is  to  be  found  there.  There  in 
no  country  like  the  Crow  country." 

Such  is  the  eulogium  on  his  country  by  Arapooish. 


0 


1 


a 


:A 


wmmme^ 


CHAPTER    X. 

Another  dUwtcr  bcfalU  the  party-All  the  hor.e.  are  .tolcn-A  fight 
Z  the  !ndianB_Fivc  more  of  tlu-  ,«.rty  kilU-.l.  and  nmCocn  navag 
Sed  and  mortally  ..uuded-The  party  cache   the.r  fun,,  etc..  ad 
leave  the  country-'H.ey  reach  the  ArUan.,^Thc.r  trapp.ng  opera- 
tio„H  there-All  killed  but  Captain  William*  and  two  other.. 

W.UL^r  journeying  on   the  head  waters  of  the 
Platte,  Captain  WilliamB'  party  met  with  ano  hor 
disaster.     One  morning  seven  of  the  me^n,  includ- 
ing Captain  WilUamB,  went  to  bring  in  the  horses, 
which  had  been  turned  out  to  graze  the  previous 
evening.     As  they  were  still  in  the  country  of  the 
Crows,  whom  they  regarded  as  their  friends,  they 
had  not  exercised  the  usual  precaution  of  bringing 
in  their  horses  and  carefully  securing  them  for  the 
night.     They  simply  fastened  two  of  their  feet  to- 
gether, to  prevent  them  from  wandering  too  lar, 
Ind  then  turned  them  out,  whilst  they  rehired  a 
Bhort  distance,  into  the  edge  of  some  timber,  and 
tretched  themselves  out  upon  their  ImHalo  skms 
for  the  night.     The  next  morning  the  horses  were 
missing;  but  their  trace  in  the  deep,  de^v^  grass 
"as  so";  discovered,  very  fresh,  and  leading  across 
a  low  ridge  in  the  prairie.     The  men  m  pursuit  of 
the  horse!  soon  found  some  of  the  cords  by  which 
they  had  been  tied.     They  were  not  broken  by  the 

(100) 


m 


are  otolcn — A  fighl 
anJ  nineteen  «avagcH 

their  furs,  etc.,  and 
rheir  trapping  opera- 
A  two  others. 

waters  of  the 
t  with  another 
he  men,  includ- 
ig  in  the  horses, 
ze  the  previous 
;  country  of  the 
eir  friends,  they 
tion  of  bringing 
ing  them  for  the 
of  their  feet  to- 
ndering  too  far, 
t  they  retired  a 
ome  timber,  and 
leir  VmH'alo  skins 

the  horses  were 
deep,  de-w^y  grass 
nd  leading  across 
nen  in  pursuit  of 
e  cords  by  which 
lot  broken  by  the 


TUB     I<OST    TRAPPERS, 


101 


horses,  but  had  evidently  been  taken  off,  a  circum- 
stance that  tilled  their  minds  with  painful  anxiety. 
J5ut  th«'y  continued  to  follow  tVie  trace  to  the  top 
of  the  ridge,  from  which  they  were  suddenly  struck 
with  the  sight  of  about  sixty  Indians  at  the  base 
of  the  hill,  in  possesoion  of  their  horses.  They 
seemed  very  busy,  preparing,  no  doubt,  to  make  an 
attack  upon  the  party  ;  for  when  they  observed  the 
men  at  the  top  of  the  hill,  they  sprang  upon  their 
horses  and  dashed  up  the  hill  toward  them,  at  the 
same  time  making  every  thing  ring  with  their  ter- 
rific and  hideous  yells.  Captain  Williams  urged 
his  men  to  escape  to  the  timber,  but  before  they 
could  reach  it,  five  of  them  were  overtaken  and 
killed.  Captain  Williams  and  another  of  the  seven 
succeeded,  though  very  closely  pursued,  in  gaining 
ihe  timber.  The  other  men  that  had  remained  in 
the  camp,  seeing  the  savages  coming,  had  snatched 
up  their  rifles,  and,  each  one  taking  a  tree,  they 
opened  a  fire  upon  them  that  caused  them  to  wheel 
and  withdraw  a  short  distance,  leaving  several  of 
their  men  upon  the  ground  dead  and  wounded.  In 
a  few  minutes  the  saveyges  dashed  up  again,  shout- 
ing, and  yelling,  and  launching  their  arrows  in  the 
timber.  There  was  a  dense  under-growth,  that  not 
only  prevented  them  from  riding  into  the  timber,  but 
also  prevented  them  from  seeing  Captain  Williams' 
men.  This  was  a  lucky  circumstance,  and  but  for 
it  they  would  all  have  been  cut  off.  Captain  Wil- 
liams told  his  men  to  take  good  aim,  and  not  to 
fire  until  they  were  certain  of  making  an  effectual 
Bhot.     By  observing  this  plan,  and  reserving  their 


m^m^mmitehmf^: 


109 


Tin;     LOST     TRATPKRH, 


!' 


y< 


shots  until  the  savagcH  would  come  to  the  very 
edge  of  the  timber,  the  sharp  report  of  each  riHe 
wan  always  followed  by  the  tumbling  of  an  Indian 
from  hiH  horse.  For  four  successive  times  did  these 
Bavages  dash  up  to  the  timber,  launch  their  arrows, 
and  then  wheel  and  withdraw  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  rifles  of  Captain  Williams'  men.  Being  una- 
ble to  dislodge  our  little  band,  and  having  sustained 
a  great  loss  of  men,  the  Indians  abandoned  the 
field  of  battle,  and  rode  off. 

Aa  a  scalp  is  a  great  and  favorite  trophy  with  an 
Indian,  these  savages  did  not  neglect  to  carry  oif 
with  them  the  scalps  of  the  five  men  they  had  killed. 
They  also   took  with  them  two   or  three    (it  was 
thought)  of  their  wounded,  but  left  nineteen  on  the 
ground.     The  party  remained  behind  their  fortress 
of  trees  and  thick  undergrowth,  whilst  one  of  the 
men  went  out  to  reconnoitre   the  motions  of  the 
savages.     He  returned,  reporting  that  he  had  seen 
them  at  least  three  miles  off,  going  at  a  brisk  gait. 
Captain  Williams  saw  his  party  now  reduced  to 
ten,  without  a  single  horse  to  carry  their  accoutre- 
ments, and  what  could  they  do  in  a  country  full  of 
savages,  on  foot?    It  was  probable  that  these  same 
savages,  knowing  the  almost  helpless  condition  of 
the  little  party,  and  infuriated  by  the  slaughter  of 
80  many  of  their  men,  would  hurry  off  to  the  main 
body  of  their  tribe,  and  return  with  increased  forces 
to  do  a  work  of  total  destruction.     There  was  there- 
fore no  time  to  be  lost.    The  company  gathered  up 
their  furs  and  as  many  traps  as  the  ten  could  carry, 
and  traveled  about  ten  miles,  keeping  close  to  the 


^ 


««* 


B  to  the  very 
t  of  each  rifle 
5  of  an  Indian 
imes  (lid  these 
h  their  arrows, 
f  the  reach  of 
Being  una- 
ving  HUstained 
abandoned  the 

trophy  with  an 
!ct  to  carry  off 
they  had  killed. 

three  (it  was 
lineteen  on  the 
id  their  fortress 
jilst  one  of  the 
motionu  of  the 
tiat  he  had  seen 
at  a  brisk  gait, 
now  reduced  to 
'  their  accoutre- 

country  full  of 
that  these  same 
!88  condition  of 
he  slaughter  of 

off  to  the  main 
increased  forces 
rhere  was  there- 
lany  gathered  up 

ten  could  carry, 
ping  close  to  the 


Til  i;    LOST    T  K  A  I'  I'  i:hh 


lOU 


timber.  They  avoided  as  well  as  tlu'y  could  mak- 
ing any  trace  by  which  they  might  be  pursued. 
When  night  caim.  on,  they  crept  into  a  very  dense 
thicket,  where  they  spent  the  greater  part  of  the 
night,  in  er«;cting  asca.lbld,  upon  which  they  aiclml 
their  furs  and  traps  and  such  things  os  they  found 
inconvenient  to  carry. 

Captain  Williams  did  not  know  to  what  tribe  of 
Indians  the  band  belonged  that  attacked  his  party. 
They  were,  in  all  i)robability.  Crows,  and  perhaps 
from  the  very  village   in  which  our  little  party  had 
speiit  several  days  ;  although  they  professed  great 
friendship  for  the  whites.     This  conjecture  is  the 
more  plausible,  when  we  remember,  that  the  friend- 
ship of  those  savages  is  about  as  uncertain  as  their 
locality,  and   the  consciences   of   these   notorious 
horse-thieves  wou4d  not  let  them  rest  very  easy,  if 
they  should  suffer  such  a  cavalcade  to  pass  through 
their  country  without,  at  least,  an  effort  on  their  part 
to  steal  their  horses.     The  party,  however,  did  not 
suspect  the  Crows,  as  they  supposed  they  were  out 
of  the  Crow  country,  and  on  the  Arkansas  river ;  a 
supposition,  however,  that  proved  to  be  erroneous, 
as  they  were  still  in  the  country  of  those  treacher- 
ous, crafty,  roving  free  hooters,  and  on  the  upper 
waters  of  the  Platti 

As  the  prospects  of  the  company  v  •  now 
gloomy  in  the  extreme,  the  spirits  oi  •  men 
drooped,  and  their  hearts  became  sad.  They  were 
many  hundrt,d  miles  from  the  abodes  of  civilized 
life,  in  the  heart  of  a  wilderness  almost  boundless, 
where  they  found  themselves  beset  on  every  side 


■  *--^^J533i5^#-«- 


I 


104 


•HE     LOST     TRAl'l'KRS. 


with  lurking  savagf^^,  ready,  at  a  suitable  opportu- 
nity, to  pounce  upon  them  and  make  them  their 
easy  prey.      They  were  now  without  horses,  and 
their  number  was  so  reduced  they  could  scarcely 
indulge  a  hope  of  escaping  the  cruel  hands  of  the 
natives.     It  is  hardly  necessary  to  state  that  they 
were  compelled    to   abandon   their  intentions  of 
crossing  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  trapping  on  the^ 
waters  of  the  Columbia.     But  Captain  Williams, 
•who  is  represented   by  one  who  knew  him  well, 
"  as  brave  and  cautious,  and  the  best  and  most 
feeling  companion  in  the  world,"  in  all  his  difficul- 
ties, wore  a  serene  and  cheerful  countenance,  and 
encouraged  his  men  not  to  give  up  the  hope  of  yet 
succeeding  in  their  trapping  enterprise.      Should 
they  succeed,  they  would  not  only  be  independent, 
but  rich  for  life.     They  left  thfPregion  of  danger, 
and  the  following  spring  found  them  on  the  sources 
of  'the  Arkansas,  where  they  encamped,  as  beaver 
w(  i'C  very  abundant,  and  there  was  a  prospect  of 
their  gathering  in  a  large  harvest  of  rich  peltries. 
The  very  succinct  and  imperfect  and  much  muti- 
lated journal  before  me  states  that  the  party  scat- 
tered about  on  the  various  little  streams  that  put 
into  the  Arkansas,  and  that  one  after  another  ws-s 
cut  off'  by  a  fierce  tribe  of  Indians  called  the  Ca- 
manches,  until  buW  three  of  the  party  remained, 
Captain  Williams  and  two  others,  whose  names 
.  -were    James   Workman    and   Samuel    Spencer.— 
These  three  were  all  that  were  left  of  those  early 
adventurers  in  the  fur  trade,  a  melancholy  fate  in- 
deed, that  verifies  the  assertion  "  that  of  the  hardy 


% 


able  opportu- 
:e  them  their 
t  horses,  and 
ould  scarcely 
hands  of  the 
;ate  that  they 
intentions  of 
apping  on  the^ 
ain  Williams, 
lew  him  well, 
est  and  most 
ill  his  difficul- 
nte nance,  and 
le  hope  of  yet 
rise.      Should 
!  independent, 
ion  of  danger, 
on  the  sources 
)ed,  as  beaver 
a  prospect  of 
f  rich  peltries, 
id  much  muti- 
:he  party  scat- 
earns  that  put 
!r  another  we-s 
Balled  the  Ca- 
arty  remained, 
-whose  names 
lel    Spencer. — 
of  those  early 
ncholy  fiate  in- 
it  of  the  hardy 


#!  \ 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


105 


bands  of  trappers  that  first  entered  those  regions, 
three-fifths  have  fallen  by  the  hands  of  savage 

foes." 

Williams,  Workman  and   Spencer  now  deter- 
mined to  return,  if  they  could,  to  St.  Louis.     But 
what  route  should  they  take  to  reach  there,  and 
where  were  they  ?  were  the  perplexing  questions 
that  sprung  up  in  the  anxious  minds  of  the  lost 
trappers.     Captain  Williams  thought,  from  the  dis- 
tance they  had  traveled,  they  were  on  the  Red  river, 
and  proposed  descending  it  in  canoes.     Workman 
and  Spence-  thought  they  were  not  far  from  Santa 
Fe,  in  New  Mexico,  and  proposed  going  there,  as 
the  only  way  they  could  adopt  to  avoid  being  killed 
bv  the  savages.     Strange  as  it  may  appear,  and 
dangerous  as  their  situation  was,  the  three  lost 
trappers   separated;  Workman    and  Spencer  stri- 
king out  towards  the  Spanish  country,  and  Captain 
Williams  descending,  as  he  supposed,  the  Red  river. 
Before  they  separated,  however,  they  cached  all  their 
peltries,  and  such  traps  as  they  could  not  take  with 

them. 

As  it  is  our  object  to  give  a  faithful  and  full  ac- 
count of  these  three  wandering  trappers,  subse- 
quent to  the  time  when  they  parted  in  a  region  of 
great  danger,  we  will  furnish  the  reader  with  that 
of  Captain  Williams  first.       ^ 


f:i 


'--^SKJS.MfesiS'i 


1    11 


7 


*,♦>' 


s  CHAPTER  XI. 

The  forlorn  gituation  of  the  three  trappers — Their  separation — Ignorance 
on  the  part  of  Indians  at  this  day  of  the  efficiency  of  our  rifles — Gre«t 
sacrifice  of  life — Policy  to  be  observed  in  fighting  Indians — Cache 
their  furs— WilliaiM  holds  on  to  his  purpose— His  perplexities — His 
mistake — A  bull  bait — Travel  day  and  night — Vast  number  of  buffalo 
— A  bull  fight — Gangs  of  wild  horses — Contest  with  a  bear — Beaver 
tail  great  delicacy — Description  of  the  beaver,  and  mode  of  taking  him 
in  traps — Beaver  resembles  a  dog  ;  his  food— Williams'  firmness- 
Three  Kansas ;  their  treacherous  designs— Williams  runs  jito  danger; 
is  made  a  prisoner — Sot  at  Ulierty  again,  but  loses  all  his  furs. 

We  have  already  alluded,  with  great  surprise,  to 
the  fact,  that  these  three  lost  trappers  should  have 
separated,  when  all  hope  of  regaining  their  homes 
depended  upon  their  remaining  together.  When 
their  party  was  now  reduced  to  three,  by  the  fero- 
city of  the  Arabs  of  the  West,  how  could  t/wt/  ex- 
pect to  escape  the  clutches  of  these  savages  ?  How 
could  two  men  expect  to  escape  !  How  could  one  ? 
Yet  startling  as  the  fact  may  be,  they  separated,  and 
separated  in  a  region  where  several  of  their  party 
ha^.  been  killed,  a  region  full  of  danger  and  lurking 
foes.  We  would  stdite,  that  at  that  early  day,  our 
men  were  not  as  well  acquainted  as  they  are 
now,  with  the  modes  of  warfare  practised  by  the 
western  tribes ;  nor  were  those  tribes  as  well  ap- 
prised as  they  are  now,  of  the  efficiency  >f  our  rifles. 

(106) 


■> 


.ration— Ignorance 
if  our  rifles — Great 
g  Indiana — Cache 
i  perplexities — His 
t  number  of  buffalo 
th  a  bear — Beaver 
node  of  taking  him 
illiains'  firmness— 
i  runs  into  danger; 
all  his  furs, 

it  surprise,  to 
1  should  have 
g  their  homes 
ther.  When 
3,  by  the  fero- 
ould  tkey  ex- 
k^ages  y  How 
w  could  one  ? 
eparated,  and 
of  their  party 
r  and  lurking 
jarly  day,  our 
as  they  are 
ctised  by  the 
s  as  well  ap- 
'  >f  our  rifles. 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS 


lOT 


The  melancholy  consequence  has  been,  as  already 
stated,  the  loss  of  three-fifths  at  least  of  those  early 
adventurers  into  those  regions,  and  the  killing  of  a 
great  many  savages.   Since,  however,  our  men  have 
gained  a  knowledge  of  the  way  in  which  the  In- 
dians practice  their  hostilities,  and  especially  since 
the  various  tribes  have  ascertained  the  distance  and 
accuracy  with  which  our  rifles  shoot,  those  savages 
are  much  more  cautious,  and  the  consequence  is, 
the  loss  of  life  on  either  side  has  not  been  so  great 
for  a  number  of  years.     Our  men,  too,  have  found 
it  to  be  good  policy  to  take  with  them  into  that 
country,  guns  that  carry  very  heavy  balls.     These 
are  better  for  killing  bufl'alo,  and  they  keep  off^  hos- 
tile Indians,  at  a  greater  distance.     In  a  prairie 
country,  men  engaged  in  shooting  at  any  thing,  are 
apt  to  mistake  the  distance,  always  supposing  the 
object  nearer,  than  it  really  is.     Hence,  the  advan- 
tage in  having  guns  that  will  carry  up  for  several 
hundred  yards.  Indians  will  never  rush  upon  a  party 
of  white  men,   unless  they  know  their  guns   are 
empty,  or  when  they  may  have  some  other  advan- 
tage.  "They  know,"  said  a  free  trapper  of  great  in- 
trepidity, "  that  the  crack  of  a  rifle  is  always  followed 
by  the  loss  of  one  of  their  men."     They  therefore 
regard  the  rifles  of  our  men   as  very  dangerous 
things.    A  handful  of  men  behind  a  fortification  of 
some   kind,  may  keep    off"   a    hundred    Indians. 
Their  guns,  (all  of  them)  should  not  be  empty  at  the 
same  time.     It  is  the  custom  of  experienced  men  t(f 
reserve  several  shots,  or  in  other  words,  to  always 
keep  some  of  their  rifles  charged.     The  same  free 


'i 


3 


108 


THE     LOST    TRAPPERS, 


trapper  informed  the  author,  "  that  in  several  dif- 
ficulties with  the  Black-feet,  two  other  trappers 
and  himself,  snugly  entrenched  behind  some  logs, 
had  compelled  a  large  body  of  those  savages  to 
leave  the  field  of  battle,  howling  and  whining  most 
mournfully  for  their  losses.  They  will  not  rush 
upon  a  loaded  rifle."  It  was  the  misfortune  of 
Captain  Williams'  men,  that  they  did  not  under- 
stand the  most  successful  and  the  safest  way  of 
fighting  those  savages,  rfhd  the  results  were  the 
melancholy  events  we  have  detailed. 

Before  Williams,  Workman  and  Spencer  separa- 
ted, they  cached  the  skins  they  had  procured,  ex- 
pecting, if  they  should  be  fortunate  enough  to  reach 
the  abodes  of  civilization,  to  form  another  company 
and  return  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  their  pel- 
tries to  St.  Louis.  They  also  cached  all  their  traps, 
except  as  many  as  they  could  conveniently  carry. 
Workman  and  Spencer  could  take  none,  as  they  in- 
tended to  strike  .  "ross  the  water  courses  for  the 
Spanish  country.  Captain  Williams  was  able  to  take 
six  or  eight  traps,  as  he  constructed  a  canoe  in  which 
he  conveyed  them.  We  have  said  that  we  would 
follow  Captain  Williams  throughout  his  subsequent 
history,  and  then  return  to  that  of  Workman  and 
Spencer,  whom  we  now  leave  on  the  head  waters 
of  a  strange  river,  entangled  in  a  labyrinth  of  wild 
and  unexplored  region,  scarcely  knowing  which 
way  to  go.  Captain  Williams,  although  a  great 
woodsman,  very  cool  and  brave,  and  holding  on 
with  great  tenacity  to  his  original  purpose  of  mak- 
ing himself  rrch  by  the  traflic  in  the  rich  peltries  of 


^ 


I  several  dif- 
ther  trappers 
(1  some  logs, 
!  savages  to 
vhining  most 
will  not  rush 
lisforiune  of 
d  not  under- 
afest  way  of 
ilts  were  the 

encer  separa- 
procured,  ex- 
BUgh  to  reach 
ther  company 
ing  their  pel- 
ill  their  traps, 
niently  carry, 
le,  as  they  in- 
lurses  for  the 
IS  able  to  take 
anoe  in  which 
bat  we  would 
lis  subsequent 
Vorkman  and 
;  head  waters 
^rrinth  of  wild 
owing  which 
ough  a  great 
id  holding  on 
rpose  of  mak- 
ch  peltries  of 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


109 


those   nameless  and  unknown  rivers,  was  no  less 
perplexed  in  his  own  mind  about  his  locality. 

As  the  country  was  an  unexplored  region,  he 
might  be  on  a  river  that  flowed  into  the  Pacific,  or 
he  might  be  drifting  down  a  stream  that  wat;  an 
affluent  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.     He  was,  however, 
inclined  to  believe  that  he  was  on  the  sources  of 
the  Red  river.     He  therefore  resolved  to  launch  his 
canoe,  and  go  wherever  the  stream  might  convey 
him,  trapping  on  his  descent,  when  beaver  might 
be  plenty.     The  first  canoe  that  he  used  he  made 
of  buffalo  skins.     As  these  kind  of  water  convey- 
ances soon  begin  to  leak  and  rot,  he  made  another 
of  cotton- wood,  as  soon  as  he  came  to  timber  suffi- 
ciently large,  in  which  he  embarked  for  a  port,  he 
knew  not  where.     The  most  of  his  journeyings 
Captain  Williams  performed  dming  the  hours  of 
night,  except  when  he  felt  it  perfectly  safe  to  travel 
in  daylight.     His  usual  plan  was  to  ghde  along 
down  the  stream,  until  he  came  to  a  place  where 
beaver  signs  were   abundant.      There  he  wou  d 
push  his  little  bark  to  the  shore,  into  some  eddy 
among  the  willows,  where  he  remained  concealed, 
except  when  he  was  setting  his  traps  or  visiting 
them  in  the  morning.     He  always  set  his  traps  be- 
tween sun-set  and  dark,  and  visit  ?d  them  at  the 
earliest  break  of  day.     When  he  h:id  taken  all  the 
beaver  in  one  neighborhood,  he  would  untie  his 
little  conveyance  and  glide  onward  and  downward 
to  try  his  luck  in  another  place. 

Thus,  for  hundreds  of  miles  did  this  solitary  trap- 
per float  down  this  unknown  river,  through  an  un- 


,! 


I 


15J! 


110 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


known  country,  here  and  there  lashing  his  canoe  to 
the  willows  and  planting  his  traps  in  the  little 
tributaries  around.  The  upper  part  of  the  Arkan- 
sas (for  this  proved  to  be  the  river  upon  which  he 
was  trapping)  is  very  destitute  of  timber,  and  the 
prairie  frequently  begins  at  the  bank  of  the  river 
and  expands  on  cither  side  as  far  as  the  eye  can 
see.  Captain  Williams  saw  vast  herds  of  buffalo, 
and  as  it  was  running  season,  the  bulls  were  ma- 
king a  wonderful  ado,  making  the  plains  roll  with 
their  low,  deep  grunting  or  bellowing,  tearing  up 
the  earth  with  their  feet  and  horns,  whisking  their 
tails,  and  defying  their  rivals  to  battle.  Often  they 
would  come  together  in  fierce  battle,  with  a  fury 
and  force  that  reminded  the  spectator  of  the  col- 
lision of  two  steamboats.  Smaller  game  was  also 
seen  by  Captain  "Williams  in  great  abundance. 
Large  gangs  oi'  wild  horses  could  be  frequently 
seen  grazing  on  the  plains  and  hill  sides.  As  it 
was  the  spring  of  the  year,  the  neighing  and  squeal- 
ing of  the  stallions  might  be  heard  at  all  times  of 
a  still  night.  Captain  Williams  never  used  his  rifle 
to  procure  meat,  except  when  it  was  absolutely 
necessary,  and  when  it  could  be  done  with  perfect 
safety.  On  one  occasion,  when  he  had  no  beaver 
flesh,  upon  which  he  generally  subsisted,  he  killed 
rfdeer.  and  after  r^fregbing  an  empty  stomach  with 
a  portion  of  it,  he  placed  the  carcass,  which  he  had 
cut  up,  in  one  end  of  his  canoe.  As  it  was  his  in- 
variable custom  to  sleep  in  his  canoe,  the  night 
afler  he  had  laid  in  a  supply  of  venison  he  was 
startled  in  his  sleep  by  the  trsunpling  of  something 


..MfiSau. 


^ 


RS. 

ling  his  canoe  to 
ipa  in  the  little 
irt  of  the  Arkan- 
r  upon  which  he 
timber,  and  the 
)ank  of  the  river 
r  aa  the  eye  can 
herds  of  buflalo, 
B  bulls  were  ma- 
plains  roll  with 
wing,  tearing  up 
i,  whisking  their 
ttle.  Often  they 
ittle,  with  a  fury 
Jtator  of  the  col- 
r  game  was  also 
peat  abundance. 
Id  be  frequently 
ill  aides.  As  it 
:hing  and  squeal- 
[  at  all  times  of 
sver  used  his  rifle 
was  absolutely 
one  with  perfect 
e  had  no  beaver 
)Bi8ted,  he  killed 
pty  stomach  with 
ss,  which  he  had 
As  it  was  his  in- 
canoe, the  night 
venison  he  was 
ng  of  something 


THE     LOST    TRAPPKRS. 


Ill 


in  the  bushes  on  the  bank.     Tramp,  tramp,  tramp 
went  the   footstep,  as  it   approached  the  canoe. 
Captain  Williams  first  thought  it  might  be  an  Indi- 
an that  had  found  out  his  locality,  but  an  Indian 
would  not  approach  him  in  that  careless  manner. 
Although  there  was  a  beautiful  star-light,  yet  the 
shade  of  the  trees  and  a  dense  undergrowth,  made 
it  veiy  dark  on  the  bank  of  the  river.      Captain 
Williams  always  adopted  the  precaution  of  tieing 
his  canoe  to  shore  with  a  piece  of  raw  hide  aoout 
twenty  feet  long,  which  let  it  swing  from  the  bank 
about  that  uistance.     This  precaution  he  adopted 
at  night,  that  in  an  emergency  he  might  cut  the 
cord  that  bound  him  to  the  shore,  and  glide  off 
without  any  noise.      During  the  day  he  hid  his  ca- 
noe in  the  willows.     As  the  sound  of  the  footsteps 
grew  more  and  more  distinct,  the  captain  observed 
a  huge  grizzly  bear  approach  the  edge  of  the  water 
and  hold  up  its  head  as  if  scenting  something.    He 
then  let  his  huge  body  into  the  water  and  made  for 
the  canoe.     Captain  Williams  snatched  up  his  axe 
as  the  most  suitable  means  of  defending  himself 
in  such  a  scrape,  and  stood  with  it  uplifted  and 
ready  to  drive  it  into  the  head  of  the  huge  aggres- 
sor.   The  bear  reached  the  canoe,  and  immediately 
placed  his  fore  paws  upon  the  hind  end  of  it,  an4 
nearly  turned  it  over.     Captain  Williams  struck 
one  of  his  feet  with  the  edge  of  his  axe,  which 
caused  him  to  relax  his  hold  with  that  foot.     He, 
however,  held  on  with  the  other  foot,  and  Captain 
Williams  inflicted  another  blow  upon  his  head, 
which  caused  him  to  let  the  canoe  go  entirely. 


■MMi 


mmi^ 


112 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


Captain  Williams  thought  the  bear  sunk  in  the 
water,  from  the  Htunning  eflects  of  the  blow,  and 
waH  drowned.  He  saw  nothing  more  of  him,  nor 
did  he  hear  any  thing.  The  presumption  was,  he 
went  under  the  water.  His  aim  was  to  get  at  the 
fresh  meat  in  the  captain's  canoe.  The  next  morn- 
ing there  were  two  of  the  bear's  claws  in  the  ca- 
noe, that  had  been  severed  from  one  of  his  feet  by- 
Captain  Williams'  axe.  They  were  carefully  pre- 
served by  the  resolute  captain  for  a  number  of 
years,  as  a  trophy  which  he  was  fond  of  exhibiting, 
and  the  history  of  which  he  delighted  to  detail. 

We  have  said  that  Cap-ain  Williams  subsisted 
principally  upon  the  flesh  of  the  beaver,  which  he 
caught  in  his  traps.  This  animal,  when  the  hide  is 
taken  off  and  dressed,  weighs  about  twelve  pounds, 
and  its  flesh,  although  a  little  musky,  is  very  fine. 
Its  tail,  which  is  eight  or  ten  inches  long,  is  flat 
and  oval  in  its  form,  and  is  covered  with  scales 
about  the  size  of  those  of  a  salmon  fish.  It  is  a 
great  dainty  in  the  estimation  of  the  mountain 
trapper.  He  separates  it  from  the  body  of  the 
braver,  thrusts  a  stick  in  one  end  of  it,  and  places 
it  before  the  fire  with  the  scales  on  it.  When  tlie 
heat  of  the  fire  strikes  through  so  as  to  roast  it, 
large  blisters  rise  on  the  surface,  which  are  very 
easily  removed.  The  tail  is  then  perfectly  white, 
and  very  delicious.  Next  to  the  tail  is  the  liver. 
This  is  another  favorite  dainty  with  the  trapper, 
and  when  properly  cooked,  constitutes  a  delightful 
repast  in  the  eye  of  these  mountain  epicures.  This 
animal  is  exceedingly  wily,  and  is  sumetimea  too 


T  II  K     I.  O  S  r      T  R  A  r  P  K  R  S  . 


tift 


ir  sunk  in  the 
'  the  blow,  and 
}re  of  him,  nor 
mption  was,  he 
■AH  to  get  at  the 
The  next  morn- 
laws  in  the  ca- 
e  of  hia  feet  by 
B  carefully  pre- 
•  a  number  of 
id  of  exhibiting, 
ed  to  detail, 
liams  subsisted 
Baver,  which  he 
vhen  the  hide  is 
twelve  pounds, 
ky,  is  very  fine. 
les  long,  is  flat 
red  with  scales 
1  fish.      It  is  a 

the  mountain 
he  body  of  the 
f  it,  and  places 

it.     When  tlie 

as  to  roast  it, 
which  are  very 
perfectly  white, 
ail  is  the  liver, 
ith  the  trapper, 
ites  a  delightful 
epicures.    This 

sumetimea  too 


cunning  for  the  most  experitnc«Hl  trupper.      If,  by 
scent,  or  sound,  or  sight,  he  hii«  any  inliination  of 
the  prencnce  of  a  trapper,  he   puts  at  deiianct;  all 
hia  traps.     The  trapper,  therefor*',  finds  it  neces- 
sary to  practice  great  caution  when  in  the   neigh- 
borhood of  a  beaver  lodge.     He  avoids  riding  over 
the  ground,  lest  the  sound  creatcsd  by  the  feet  of 
his  horse  »..ight  strike- dismay  among  the  furry  in- 
habitants beneath  the  surface.     Instead  of  walking 
on  the  ground,  he  wades  in  the  water,  lest  he  might 
leave  a  scent  behind  by  which  he  might  be  discov- 
ered.   He  also  plants  his  traps  under  the  surface  of 
the  water,  where, they   cm   be   neither  seen  nor 
smelt.    But  one  kind  of  bait  is  used,  because  no 
other  kinds  are  needed,  and  this  kind  is  tlie  best. 
The  beaver  has  two  pair  of  testicles,  one  contain- 
ing the  semen,  by  which  he  propagates  his  race, 
and  the  other  containing  the  matter  that  gives  to 
his  body  the  musky  smell  that  is  peculiar  to  it. 
These  testicles  are  opened,  and  their  contents  are 
put  in  separate  horns,  which  the  trapper  carries  by 
his  side.     When  he  uses  it  for  bait,  he  thrusts  a 
small  stick  in  both  of  his  horns,  about  an  inch  deep 
in  the  matter,  and  then  plants  it  upright  in  the 
water,  between  the  jaws  of  the  trap,  leaving  the 
baited  end  of  it  several  inches  above  the  surface  of 
the  water.     A  natural  propensity  prompts  the  bea- 
ver to  seek  the  place  whence  the  scent  issues,  and 
he  is  taken.     In  this  respect  the  beaver  resembles 
the  dog,  that  always  seeks  to  smell  the  place  where 
one  of  his  kind  may  have  spent  his  urine.     It  is 
worthy  of  notice,  that  the  beaver  feeds  exclusively 
10 


-""  ":j.agBjJiB' 


tf4 


Till:     1,1)  ST     TRA.JM'KRS. 


on  the  baik  of  tncH  and  Hlirubs,  whilst  the  otter 
livCH  on  lish  ami  reptiles  ;  the  connequence  is,  the 
flesh  of  the  former  \f  vny  Kne,  whilst  that  of  the 
latter  is  very  olienfive  to  the  tante.  An  experi- 
enced trapper  ahvaj  h  ainin  ho  to  set  his  traps  as  to 
drown  the  beaver  when  they  are  taken.  This  is 
accomplished  by  sinking  the  trap  several  inches 
under  water,  and  driving  a  -lake  through  a  ring  on 
the  end  of  the  chain,  into  the  bottom.  When  a 
beaver  finds  himself  fasteneVl  in  a  trap,  he  pitches 
and  plunges  about  until  his  strength  is  exhausted, 
when  he  sinks  down  and  is  drowned.  If  a  beaver 
succeeds  in  getting  to  shore,  he  always  extricates 
himself  by  cutting  olf  the  leg  that  is  in  the  trap. 

This  animal  is  furnished  with  several  large  front 
teeth  that  are  curved,  by  which  he  is  enabled  to  cut 
down  trees  thai  are  from  six  to  twelve  inches  in 
diameter.  Armed  with  these  formidable  tusks,  he 
will  cut  a  dog  that  ventures  upon  him,  immediately 
into  pieces.  They  bestow  a  great  deal  of  labor  and 
pains,  in  the  construction  of  their  dams,  and  gene- 
rally make  them  so  firm  that  a  man  may  pass  over 
them  on  horseback  with  perfect  safety.  The  last 
thing  that  I  shall  state,  at  present,  by  way  of  de- 
Bcription  of  the  beaver  is,  that  his  fur,  which  is  of 
the  finest  quality  and  remarkably  thick  on  the  hide, 
very  much  resembles  in  color,  the  fur  of  our  com- 
mon wild  rabbit. 

But  let  us  return  to  our  solitary  trapper,  as  we 
find  him  gliding  about  in  his  cotton-wood  canoe  on 
the  bosom  of  an  unknown  river,  upon  the  banks  of 
which,  no  white  man  had  ever  been  present,  to 


[•;  R  s  . 

H,  whilr*t  the  ottrr 
DiiHPqueiice  is,  tlio 
jvUiUt  that  of  the 
HHtf.  An  fxpt'i-i- 
Hct  hia  trapH  art  to 
■e  taken.  Thia  is 
ap  wevernl  inches 
through  a  ring  on 
bottom.  When  a 
a  trap,  he  pitciies 
■ngth  is  exhausted, 
ned.  If  a  beaver 
always  extricates 
it  is  in  the  trap, 
several  large  front 
le  is  enabled  to  cut 

0  twelve  inches  in 
irmidable  tusks,  he 

1  him,  immediately 
,t  deal  of  labor  and 
ir  dams,  and  gene- 
nan  may  pass  over 
t  safety.  The  last 
jent,  by  way  of  de- 
als fur,  which  is  of 
y  thick  on  the  hide, 
he  fur  of  our  com- 

tary  trapper,  as  we 
ton-wood  canoe  on 
upon  the  banks  of 
r  been  present,  to 


■nlK     I.')  ST     TRAri'KRS 


115 


Inive  his  foot-printH  behind  him.     We  confess  that 
we  never  .•ont.-inphUr  this  part   of  Captain   Wil- 
liams' history  but  with  a  feeling  of  astonishment, 
as  well  us  unrestra.ned  curiosity.     What  contempt 
of  danger,  or  rather  superiority  to  it !  What  zealous 
perseverance  in   the  prosecution   of  his  purposes ; 
and  at  the  same  time,  what  caution  and  constant 
vigilance  must  he  have  practised,  to  avoid  being 
discovered  by  the  natives.     For  several  months,  he 
was  certain,  that  no  eye  saw  him,  but  that  oi  his 
God,  nor  did  he  see  the  face  of  a  fellow-being,  civ- 
ilized or  savage.     He  communed  with  none  but  hia 
own  heart,  nor  did  his  eyes  rest  upon  the  face  oi 
any  mortal,  except  that  of  himself,  as  it  was  reHec- 
ted  back   from  the  surface  of  those  wild  waters. 
Day  after  day  did  he  add  to  his  stock  of  rich  pel- 
tries ;   but    daj    after  day   passed   away   without 
bringing  any  light   as  to  the  destiny  before  him. 
Week  after  week  had  he  descended  this  river,  and 
no  frontier  cabin  greeted  his  return.     Wildness  and 
solitude  still  reigned  every  where.     But  Captain 
Williams  was  a  man  of  as  much  patience  as  forti- 
tude,  and  possessed  a  cheerful  disposition,  that 
made  him  look  upon  the  "  sunny  side  "  of  every 
thing,  and  "  always  hoped  for  the  best."     Solitary 
as  he  was,  and  exposed  to  danger  all  the  time,  he 
frequently  spoke  of  this  kind  of  life  as  having  its 
peculiar  attractions. 

But  it  would  have  been  a  miracle  if  he  had  en- 
tirely escaped  the  observation  of  the  savages.  Cir- 
cumstances occurred  that  led  to  his  discovery,  and 
threw  him  into  their  clutches.     As  he  was  descend- 


!it'»WgMS< 


1 


no 


■r  II  K    I.O.ST  TRArrf'.us, 


ing  the  river,  with  hin  peltiien,  wiiich  conHi«tetl  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty-live  beftver-wkinn,  hexides 
some  Hkinn  of  otter  und  othtir  t*malier  aniniaU  of 
the   fur-bimring  race,  all  of  which  he  had  procured 
uince  he   parted  wit!i  Workman  and  Spencer,  he 
overtook  three  KanHan  Indians,  who  were  alwci  in  a 
canoe  deacending  the  river  as  he  learned  from  them 
to  some  poat,   to  trade   with   the   whitcH.     They 
manifented  a  very  friendly  dinpoaition  toward  Cap- 
tain Williams,  and  cxpreHned  a  winh  to  accompany 
him  down  the  river.     He  learned  from  them,  to  hi« 
great  gratification,  that  he  wan  on  tli-  Big  Arkan- 
sas, and  not  more  than  five  hundred  i    ies  from  the 
whites.     By  this  time  Captain  Williaiud  had  learned 
how  much  confidence  he  could  repose  in  Indians 
and  their  professions  of  friendship.    He  had  learned 
enough  to  know  tliat  they  would  not  let  a  solitary 
trapper  pass  through  their  country,  with  a  valuable 
collection  of  furs,  without,  at  least,  making  an  ef- 
fort to  rob  him.     The  plan  of  these  Kansas  would 
be  to  decoy  him  into  a  friendly  intercourse  with 
them,  and  then,  the  first  suitable  opportunity  to  strip 
him  of  every  thing  he  had.     He  n'solved,  therefore, 
to  get  rid  of  them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  to  elfect 
this,  he    plied   his  oars  with  all   diligence.     The 
Indians,  like  the  most  of  their  lazy  race,  had   no 
disposition  to  belabor  themselves  in  this  way  :  but 
took  it  more  leisurely,  being  satisfied  to  be  carried 
along  by  the  current  of  the  water.  Captain  Williams 
soon  left  them,  as  he  supposed,  far  behind  him,  and 
when  night  came  on,  as  he  had  labored  hard  all 
day,  and  slept  none  the  night  before,  he  resolved  to 


s . 

ch  conHirited  of 
r-r<kinH,  bertidus 
,II<T  aniniaU  of 
V.  hftd  procured 
id  Spencer,  he 
I  were  alwo  in  a 
rned  from  them 

whitCH.  They 
»n  toward  Cap- 
a  to  accompany 
oni  them,  to  hi« 
th<   Uig  Arkan- 

r  ilea  from  the 
aiitd  had  learned 
)Urie  in  Indiana 

He  had  learned 
ot  let  a  solitary 
with  a  valuable 
,  making  an  ef- 
c  Kannafl  would 
itcrcouree  with 
portunity  to  strip 
olved,  therefore, 
)le,  and  to  effect 
diligence.  The 
zy  race,  had  no 
n  this  way  :  but 
ied  to  be  carried 
aptain  Williamsi 
behind  him,  and 
labored  hard  uU 
e,  he  resolved  ,to 


T  II  K     LOST     TR  A  IT  T.  KM  , 


117 


turn  anide  into  the  willowH  to  tiik<'  a  few  hours  of 
sleeo.  Hut  he  had  Htopped  HciiiTcly  thirty  minutes 
before  he  heard  some,  Indians  pull  to  shore  just 
above  on  the  same  side  of  the  river.  He  immedi- 
ately renewed  his  fire,  loosed  his  canoe  from  shore, 
and  glided  smoothly  and  silently  off  and  away,  and 
rowed  hard  and  faithfully  for  two  or  three  hours, 
when  he  again  put  to  shore  and  tied  up. 

But  again,  a  short  time  after  he  had  landed,  he 
heard  some  Indians  going  in  to  shore  on  the  same 
side  and  just  above  him.     A  second  time  the  vigi- 
lant captain  slipt  out  from  the  willows,  and  glided 
stealthily  away  from  that  dangerous  ground,  and 
pulied  ahead  with  great  industry  until  'ume  time 
after  midnight,  when  he  supposed  he  could  with 
safety  stop  to  snatch  a  morsel  of  repose.     Captain 
Williams  was  apprehensive  that  he  was  in  a  dan- 
gerous region  ;  the  anxiety  of  his  mind,  therefore, 
kept  him  awake,  and  it  was  a  lucky  circumstance, 
for  as  he  lay  in  his  canoe,  invoking  sleep,  he  heard 
for  the  third  time  a  canoe  land,  as  before.    He  was 
now  satisfied  that  he  was  dogged  by  the  Kansas 
whom  he  had  passed  the  day  before.    In  no  very  good 
humor,  therefore.  Captain  Williams   snatched   up 
his  rifle  and  walked  up  the  bank  to  the  place  where 
he  had   heard  the  canoe  land.     As  he  suspected, 
they  were  the  three  Kansas,  and  when  they  saw 
the  captain  they   renewed  their  expressions   of 
friendship,  and  wished  him  to  partake  of  their  hos- 
pitality.    Captain  Williams  stood  aloof  from  them, 
and  shook  his  head  in  anger,  and  charged  them 
with  their  villainous  purposes.     In  the  short,  sen- 


mffiJ!»iW!i'u  Jti'Jiilt'  ■  "-jgar; 


!l 


nt 


jjg  THE     LOST     TRAPl-KRS. 

and  returned  to  h.  -"«-  /j^j,  ,,,,^  ia„d,  and 
tary  trapper  pushed  his  htt^  c^  ^  ^^^.^^ 

set  off  down  stream,  to  ^^' ^^J  Hazardous, 
^here  to  sleep  T"^.  ^;  ^Ted^B  oars  the  bal- 
Captain  Wm^amsfaahfulyP^^^^^  himself  with  the 

ance  of  the  mght,  ^'"^  ^«^        ^^en  no  evil  had 
thought  that  he  was  very  lu  ky  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^ 

^^^^n't^Jirh  wa  escaping  from  the  villain- 
sleep.  But  whilst  he  w  V  .^^^  „^^ 
ous  pursuers  behmdhun,  hew     ^^^^^^.^^  ^^^  ^^ 

dangers   and  difficulties.  j^^,,. 

overtook  a  large  company  ^f  theja ^^^  ^^^^^^^.^^ 
-s),  headed  by  a  clucf  ^ho        ^^^^^   ^^^^^^  ^^ 

the  river^      ^"^^'^^L  conducted  to  one  of  their 
fell  a  prisoner,  and  was  ^^.^  j.^^^ 

villages.     The  F-^P^^^^  f^  ^^^very  short  time 
and  traps,  and  all  his  chattels^     A       y    ^^^  ^^^ 

nee.,  and  took  Captam  ^;"^«^  J  ^  ^^^,  decided 
battle  in  which  the  Kansas  ga  nod  a     ^^^ 

^■'^n\wT:uI:rorraw?ees,  and,  indeed,  by 

part,  1^^^1«<1^^  "H^^Ji^es,  caused  the  affair  to  ter- 
his  very  efficient  ^erMce. ,  ^^. 

minate  in  favor  ^^  ^^^..f^f^  captain,  who  .ad 

--^^^\^^'^^r:.rwith  tSness,   ;.as    now 
always    been    treated  w  ^^^^  ^^^^ 

r ^^^^  r  tJa^'Jh:  r^noCand  been  made  one 
^^J:X^<^^^-     But,  as  the  Kansas  had 


RS. 


Till-;      I,  OST     TRAPPi;  RS 


119 


e  said  to  them, 
g  ;  if  you  follow 
d  about  abruptly 
ird  time  our  soli- 
ft  from  land,  and 
ay  from  a  region 
emely  hazardous. 
I  his  oars  the  bal- 
himself  with  the 
when  no  evil  had 
,f  a  few  hours  of 
^g  from  the  villain- 
s  running  into  new 
following  day  he 
e  same  tribe  (Kan- 
as  also  descending 
r  these   Indians  he 
cted  to  one  of  their 
took  all  of  his  furs 
A  very  short  time 
war  with  the  Paw- 
ms  with  them.    In  a 
lined  a  most  decided 
;ted   a  distinguished 
nees,  and,  indeed,  by 
ised  the  atfair  to  ter- 
ras.    When  they  re- 
the  captain,  who  ..ad 
kindness,    .vaa    now 
and  could  have  been 
s,  and  been  made  one 
iut,  as  the  Kansas  had 


set  him  at  liberty  lor  the  services  he  had  rendered 
them,  in  their  late  dilHculty  with  a  formidable  and 
inveterate  foe,  he  determined  to  return  to  the  white 
settlement  on  the  Mis.souri. 

But  thej  retained  his  furs,  and  indeed  all  his 
chattels  except  his  rifle,  with  as  many  rounds  of 
ammunition  as  would  be  necessary  to  secure  him 
provisions  along  his  route.  Captain  Williams  was 
the  more  reconciled  to  the  loss  of  his  furs,  as  he 
believed  the  Indians  would  preserve  them  with  a 
view  of  taking  them  to  a  trading  post,  where  he 
formed  the  purpose  of  being  present  to  secure  them 
again.  As  to  the  furs  that  were  cached  before  he 
parted  with  Workman  and  Spencer,  he  intended  to 
return  for  them  as  soon  as  he  could  get  a  sufficient 
number  of  men  to  accompany  him.  As  Captain 
Williams  knew  not  where  he  was  at  the  time  he 
caclwd  his  furs,  whilst  he  was  with  the  Kansas  he 
was  able  to  procure  some  facts  in  relation  to  the 
country  that  were  of  value  to  him.  When  he  left 
the  Platte,  which  he  supposed  to  be  the  Arkansas, 
he  descended  a  stream  that  interlocked  with  the 
main  branch  of  the  Platte,  and  is  an  affluent  to  the 
Big  Arkansas.  They  cached  their  furs  near  the 
mouth  of  this  stream.  Here,  and  indeed  for  a  long 
distance  below,  the  Rocky  mountains  are  to  be  dis- 
tinctly seen,  covered  with  perpetual  snow.  When 
h..  separated  from  Workman  and  Spencer,  they  set 
oir  uj)  a  stream  emptying  also  into  the  Arkansas, 
(supposing  it  to  be  the  main  stream)  and  coming 
from  the  south.  This  proved  to  be  what,  in  those 
days,  was  called  the  third  fork  of  the  Arkansas,  on 


-  iijiM'itJWMiSJKrWi-ft^iBsa'iBiii'ga^iWi^WB 


m 


a 


"TT 


THK     I-OST     TRAPPERS. 


tlie  west  side.      The  captain  also  learned,  whilst 
with  the  Kansas,  that  they  expected  to  repair,  the 
following  spring,  to  Fort  Osage,  on  the  Missouri 
river,  to  receive  some  annuities  due  them  from  the 
United  States,  and  he  knew  that  his  furs  would  be 
found  there  at  that  time.     There  was  a  fort  of 
white  men  at  that  time,  called  Cooper's  Fort,  some- 
where on  the  side  of  the  Missouri  opposite  the 
post  of  trade  where  the  Kansas  expected  to  assem- 
ble.    He  therefore  set  off  for  that  point  on  the 
Missouri,  to  be  ready,  the  following  spring,  to  re- 
gain, if  he  could,  his  peltries  that  were  in  the  hands 
of  the  Kansas. 


lu 


#.. 


I. 

learned,  whilst 
I  to  repair,  the 
1  the  Missouri 
them  from  the 
furs  would  be 
n^as  a  fort  of 
sr's  Fort,  some- 
ri  opposite  the 
Bcted  to  assem- 
t  point  on  the 
I  spring,  to  re- 
ire  in  the  hands 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Mixing  and  intermarryinfr  between  white  am]  red  men— A  numerous 
hybrid  race — The  consociuence,  an  improved  race— Captain  Willionw 
in  gtreat  perplexity  an(i  somewhat  frightened — A  mysterious  atlair — 
Reaches  Fort  Cooper— Cibley  secures  the  lost  furs  to  Captain  Wil- 
liams. 

On  the  outskirts  of  civilized  society  then,  as  now 
on  the  frontier  of  the  West,  there  has  always  been 
a  certain  motley  cla.-s.-i  of  men,  trappers,  traders, 
renegadoes,  and  refugees  from  justice,  who  seem  to 
have  become  disgusted  with  the  tamenesa  and  mo- 
notony of  civilized  life,  and  made  exiles  of  them- 
selves, by  going  where  the  restraints  and  the  secu- 
rity of  laws  are  not  felt.  For  these  men,  who  by 
the  way  are  very  numtirous,  savage  life  seems  to 
have  its  peculiar  charms.  They  take  to  themselves 
wives,  and  domesticate  themselves  among  the  dif- 
ferent tribes  in  the  west,  and  live  and  die  among 
them.  If  one  of  these  men  should  happen  to  return 
to  the  abodes  of  his  white  brethren,  he  feels  like  a 
fish  out  of  water,  and  is  impatient  and  restless,  and 
seeks  the  earliest  opportunity  to  get  back  to  the 
country  of  his  choice.  Tlie  result  of  this  intermix- 
ing and  intermarrying,  has  been  the  springing  up 
of  a  numerous  hybrid  race  of  beings,  that  constitute 
a  medium,  through  which,  it  is  hoped,  at  no  distant 
day,  the  laws,  arts,  and  habitudes  of  civilized  life 
11  (121) 


m-^t^W 


I 


■ 


■— T',»»    lll^;y»iH'j|wp^^ri       -^ 


ll 


si 


^  ■        t 


11  ;li! 


122 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS 


may  be  succoKsfuUy  introduced  among   the   tribes 
of  the  west,  and  be  the  means  of  reclaiming  them 
from  the  ignorance  andbarbaritieH  in  which  they  have 
been  so  long  enthralled.     These  half-breeds  are  al- 
ready very  numerous,  and  it  isdilficult  to  distinguish 
them  from  white  i.ien  ;  for  they  seem  just  as  intelli- 
gent, and  just  as  decent  as  to  their  exterior ;  and 
speak  our  language  just    as    fluently,  as  our  own 
citizens,  and  really  vary  but  little  from  them  in  the 
color  of  the  skin.     As  Captain  Williams  was  jour- 
neying from  the  Arkansas  to  the  Missouri,  he  met 
with  one  of  those  white  men,  that  had  taken  up  his 
residence  among  the  Osages,  and  was  to  some  ex- 
tent, engaged  in   an  effort  to  teach  that  tribe  how 
to  cultivate  the  soil.     He  had  manied  quite  a  good 
looking  squaw,  with  whom  he  was  living,  and  by 
whom  he  had  several  black-eyed  lit  ie  children.    He 
had  erected  two  or  three  comfortable  cabins,  around 
which  he  had  several  acres  of  ground  under  cultiva- 
tion.    Captain  Williams  came  upon  his  residence 
late  in  the  evening,  and  was  received  by  him  with 
a  real  backwoods  hospitality.      As  he  was  nnioh 
ffitigued,  he  stayed  with  him  that   night.     It  was 
now  late  in  the  fall,  nnd  the  cold  winds  had  already 
began  to  sweep  over  those  extensive  prairies.    He 
was  not  only  fatigued,  but  hungry,  and  after  enjoy- 
ing a  very  abundant  repast,  he  became  very  sleepy 
and  stupid,  and  expressed  a  wish  to  lie  down.     The 
landlord  accordingly  conducted  him  to  one  of  the 
cabins,  in  which  there  were  two  beds,  standing  in 
opposite  corners  of  the  room.     Captain  Williams 
threw  himself  upon  one  of  the  beds,  and  was  soon 


ff'ili[iiimiirrri'^""-i'^''  '"'^*'*'*"'"^ 


nong   the   tribcH 
reclaiming  them 
n  which the>  have 
alf-breeds  are  al- 
cult  to  distinguish 
iin  just  as  intelli- 
leir  exterior ;  and 
ently,  aa  our  own 
iroia  them  in  the 
'ilhams  was  jour- 
!  Missouri,  he  met 
;  had  taken  up  his 
I  was  to  some  ex- 
ch  that  tribe  how 
n-ied  quite  a  good 
as  living,  and  by 
it  ie  children.    He 
ble  cabins,  around 
und  under  cultiva- 
ipon  his  residence 
eived  by  him  with 

As  he  was  much 
at  night.  It  was 
winds  had  already 
isive  prairies.  He 
■y,and  after  enjoy- 
lecame  very  sleepy 

to  lie  down.  The 
him  to  one  of  the 
1  beds, standing  in 

Captain  Williams 
)eda,  and  was  soon 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS, 


m 


in  a  very  deep  sleep.  About  midnight,  his  slumbers 
we/e  disturbed  by  a  singular  and  very  frightful  kind 
of  noise,  accomparied  by  struggling  on  the  other 
bed,  in  the  opposite  corner  of  the  room.  What  it 
was,  the  captain  was  entirely  at  a  loss  to  under- 
stand. There  were  no  windows  in  the  cabin  to  fur- 
nish any  light,  the  door  was  shut,  and  it  was  aa  dark 
as  Egypt.  A  fierce  contest  seemed  to  be  going  on. 
There  were  deep  groans  and  hard  breathings ;  the 
snapping  and  gritting  of  teeth  was  constantly  going 
on.  Occasional  struggling  took  place,  in  which 
great  muscular  power  seemed  to  be  employed.  For 
a  moment  the  noise  would  subside,  with  drawing 
the  breath,  at  long  intervals,  as  if  death  was  taking 
place.  Then  again  the  struggling  and  scuffling 
would  be  renewed,  accompanied  as  before  with 
groaning  and  deep  sighing  and  grinding  of  the  teeth, 
and  the  exercise,  it  would  seem,  of  great  physical 
power.  The  bed  clothes,  that  consisted  of  a  blanket 
or  two  and  a  buffalo  robe,  were  pulled  about  and 
very  much  torn.  At  last  slam-bang  the  whole  mys- 
terious affair  fell  upon  the  Hoor,  and  carried  on  in 
the  same  frightful  and  unearthly  way.  Captain 
Williams  stated  that  in  all  his  difficulties  with  the 
savages,  his  fortitude  had  never  been  so  fairly  tes- 
ted, as  on  this  night.  "  To  be  able  to  see  danger,"'  said 
he,  "  takes  away  at  least  one  half  of  its  terror."  But 
here  was  a  mysterious,  formidable,  invisible  some- 
thing, which  he  could  not  see.  He  did  not  know 
where  to  find  the  door,  as  he  had  forgotten  where  it 
was.  Aa  for  his  rifle,  thfct  had  often  saved  his  life, 
he  now  recollected,  that  he  had  lefl  her  in  the  cabin 


7^-4tt^<-1i*a».-»» 


t4'i 


■ni 


:i 


124 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


l&\ 


occupied  by  the  family.  He  had  a  knife,  but  it  was 
attached  to  his  hunting  coat,  which  he  had  hung  on 
the  corner  of  the  other  bedstead,  but  the  danger  was 
between  him  and  his  knife. 

For  a  moment  the  sounds  would  subside  as  in 
death,  and  then  again  every  power  seemed  to  be 
wakened  up,  and  the  same  unseen  and  mysterious 
and  dreadful  tragedy  repeated.     All  over  the  floor 
it  shifted  about,  until  it  got  under  the  bed  ot  Cap- 
tain Williams.      Here,  as  by  convulsive  efforts,  it 
lifted  the  bed,  with  the  perplexed  captain  on  it,  ott 
the  floor  several  times;  and  after  belaboring  itself 
dreadfully  for  several  minutes,  it  moved  rather  to 
the  side  of  the  bed.     Captain  Williams  then  raised 
himself  to  a  sitting  position  on  the  bed,  and  threw 
around  him  a  buffalo  skin,  to  protect  himsell,  if  an 
effort  should  be  mado  to  injure  him  ;  but  m  an  in- 
stant the  skin  was  snatched  and  pulled  ofl,  and  the 
captain  left  uncovered  and  unprotected,  at  least  so 
far  as  a  buffalo  robe  might  prove  a  shield.    Another 
violent  snatch  took  away  a  blanket  upon  which  the 
captain  was  seated,  and  nearly  took  him  with  it. 
As  the  next  thing  might  be  a  blew  in  the  dark,  he 
felt,  as  he  jocularly  remarked  (if  ht  could  not  sec), 
that  it  was  high  time  to  shift  his  quarters       bo  he 
made  a  desperate  leap  from  his  bed,  and  alighted 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  room,  and  called  lor 
the  landlord,  who  came  immediately  to  his  rebel 
by  opening  the  door.     The  captain  told  him  the 
devil,  or  something  as  bad,  he  believed,  was  in  the 
room,  and  he  wanted  a  light.    The  accommodating 
host  hurried  back,  and  in  a  moment  returned  with 


'II 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERa 


125 


nife,  but  it  was 
tie  had  hung  on 
the  danger  was 

d  subside  as  in 
r  seemed  to  be 
and  mysterious 
,11  over  the  Hoor 
the  bed  of  Cap- 
nlsive  efforts,  it 
aptain  on  it,  off 
elaboring  itself 
moved  rather  to 
ams  then  raised 
bed,  and  threw 
St  himself,  if  an 
n  ;  but  in  an  in- 
lUed  off,  and  the 
^cted,  at  least  so 
shield.    Another 
t  upon  which  the 
»ok  him  with  it. 
]v  in  the  dark,  he 
ifc  could  not  sec), 
[uarters.      So  he 
)ed,  and  alighted 
1,  and  called  for 
;ely  to  his  relief 
lin  told  him  the 
ieved,  was  in  the 
e  accommodating 
ent  returned  with 


a  light,  that  soon  revealed  the  awful  mystery.  It 
was  an  Indian,  who,  at  the  time,  was  struggling  in 
convulsions,  which  he,  it  appears,  was  in  the  habit 
of  having.  He  was  an  old  chief,  who  the  captain 
ascertained  to  be  a  relative  of  the  wife  of  the  land- 
lord, and  generally  made  his  home  there.  Being 
absent  when  the  captain  arrived,  he  came  in  at  a 
late  hour,  when  all  were  asleep,  and  repaired  to 
the  bed  he  usually  occupied.  It  was  not  known 
to  any  one  that  he  was  on  the  premises,  until  he 
was  found  in  the  above  miserable  condition.  The 
poor  fellow  had  dreadfully  mangled  himself  by 
tearing  his  flesh,  particularly  his  arms,  with  his 
teeth.  His  nose,  which  was  uncommonly  large, 
was  much  bruised  and  skinned.  He  was  removed 
out  of  the  cabin,  and  our  guest,  who  was  not  to  be 
frightened  out  of  a  night's  rest,  soon  again  sunk 
into  a  profound  repose.  Captain  "Williams  reached 
Cooper's  fort  in  the  beginning  of  winter,  which  was 
at  that  time  occupied  by  a  few  white  men,  having 
been  absent  one  year  and  eight  months. 

When  Captain  Williams  reached  Cooper's  fort, 
he  learned  that  a  United  States'  factor,  (trader)  C. 
Cibley,  was  expected  from  St.  Louis  that  winter, 
to  go  up  to  fort  Osage  to  meet  the  Osages  and  Kan- 
sas, and  pay  them  their  annuities.  Mr.  Cibley  came 
up  the  Missouri  as  far  as  Cooper's  fort,  but  was  not 
able  to  get  to  fort  Osage,  on  account  of  the  ice  and 
the  severity  of  the  winter.  The  Indians  were 
therefore  compelled  to  come  down  the  river  to  a 
place  now  called  Arrow  Rock,  where  they  were 
met  by  Mr.  Cibley.    Captain  Williams  was  present, 


>tJUmma»mttmm 


.!'U^.:'!j^^.i!;:'!j 


tw 


ht1 


126 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS, 


and  there  met  the  very  Indian  chief  that  had  rob- 
bed him  of  Ilia  furs  on  the  Arkansas.      The  agent 
of  the  United  States  had  already  been  apprised  of 
the  whole  aUair,  and  informed  the  Kansas  chief 
that  as  Mr.  Williams  was  a  citizen  of  the  govern- 
ment for  which  he  was   acting,  he  would  not  pay 
them  their  annuities,  unle-ss  they  returned  the  furs 
properly  belonging  to  Mr.  Williams.     They  at  first 
were  unwilling   to  admit   their  villainy,  but   Mr. 
Cibley  was  very  positive  and  determined,  and  fi- 
nally succeeded  in  bringing  them  to  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  deed.     In  compliance  with  the  orders 
of  the  agent,  the  guilty-lojking  fellow  sneaked  off 
to  their  lodges  to  bring  cut  the  furs,  and  returned 
with  four  packages,  which  Captain  WilUams  proved 
by  the  initials  of  his  name,  E.  W.,  which  were  on 
them.     The  agent  inquired  if  that  was  all.     Cap- 
tain Williams  replied,  there  were  eigVt  more.    The 
fraudulent  chief  said   there  were   no   more.     Mr. 
Cibley  peremptorily  demanded   the  whole  of  the 
furs.    Three  more  packages  were  then  brought  out, 
which  the  chief  affirmed  made  up  the  number  he 
had  taken.     Mr.  Cibley  gave  them  every  assurance 
that  he  would  not  pay  them  their  annuities,  if  they 
did  not  comply  with  his  orders.    One  after  another 
three  of  the  bales  of  skins  were  reluctantly  brought 
forward,  until  they  numbered  eleven.     Mr.  Cibley 
demanded  tlie  twelfth,  but  "  it  could  not  be  found," 
said  the  Indian  chief.    "  But  it  must  be  found," 
Bald  Cibley .     The  old  Kansas  chief  went  away,  and 
after  an  absence  of  an  hour,  during  which  time  he 
was  busy  searching  among  the  lodges  for  the  lost 


s. 

thut  had  rob- 
8.      The  agent 
en  apprised  of 
Kansas  chief 
I  of  the  govern- 
would  not  pay 
turned  the  furs 
.     They  at  first 
llainy,  but   Mr. 
rmined,  and  fi- 
an  acknowledg- 
with  the  orders 
ow  sneaked  oft' 
rs,  and  returned 
WilUams  proved 
,  which  Mere  on 
t  was  ail.     Cap- 
iigVt  more.    The 

no  more.  Mr. 
le  whole  of  the 
hen  brought  out, 
,  the  number  he 

every  assurance 
annuities,  if  they 
>ne  after  another 
luctantly  brought 
fen.  Mr.  Cibley 
Id  not  be  found," 
must  be  found," 
f  went  away,  and 
ig  which  time  he 
)dge8  for  the  lost 


T  II  K      I.  O  S  T     T  R  A  T  T  I'.  K  .S  . 


127 


pack,  returned  and  told  Mr.  Cibiey  that  "  lie  could 
not  J'uid  it,  and  he  believed  that  God  Ahniiihiy  roidd 
not  Jiiid  it,"  by  which  he  meant  to  be  understood, 
that  such  a  bale  of  fur  did  not  exist.  -Captain  Wil- 
liams, who  was  much  amused  with  the  answer  of 
the  chief,  suggested  to  Mr.  Cibley  the  great  proba- 
bility that  one  of  the  packages  might  have  been 
lost,  and  stated,  furthermore,  that  he  would  not  in- 
sist upon  their  returning  it.  Here  the  matter  ended, 
and  in  the  end  it  resulted  to  the  great  advantage  of 
Mr.  Williams,  as  he  got  rid  of  the  very  difficult  job 
of  conveying  his  peltries  to  the  Missouri  river. 

The  following  spring  Captain  Williams  took  his 
furs  down  the  Missouri  and  sold  them  in  St.  Louis, 
and  theii  returned  to  Cooper's  fort,  for  the  purpose 
of  raising  a  body  of  men  to  go  with  him  for  the 
furs  he  had  cached  on  an  upper  tributary  of  the 
Great  Arkansas. 


*00nmu.^-umju~^—s.f'.s'"r 


.J.-jjgS^WlW'-'*" 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

CapUin  Williamg  met  with  diflkulty  in  raising  another  party— Caman- 
che«  antl  their  honiemunsliip,  and  way  of  fighting  on  horseback— Un 
25tli  of  December  JoHcph  and  William  Coojicr  Bct  out  with  Captain 

Williams Fort  Osage,  (Uagc  river— Neasho  river— Their  sufferings 

-Want  of  fooil— Walnuts— They  kill  eight  sijuirrels.  Indian 
camps  and  Osage  Indians— An  Indian  squaw  prepares  a  repast  for  the 
men— One  of  the  men  faints— Kill  two  bufliilo  bulls — Strong  wind- 
Wild  horses— Wolves,  their  nature- A  poor  little  wcif  and  a  tat 
coon— A:i  old  wild  stud  killed— His  meat  rank- They  reach  iho 
cachet— K/M  their  horses— Kill  six  buffalo— Make  bull  boat— Suffer- 
ing from  cold— The  Plum  thicket — A  band  of  wolves  after  a  bull— A 
prayer-lHMjk  is  burnt — Party  discovered  by  Camanche* — Move  to  an- 
other thicket — Set  off  down  the  river— Again  reach  the  Missouri. 

The  gloomy  and  melancholy  account  that  Cap- 
tain Williams  hud  to  give  of  his  expedition,  and 
the  horrible  reprewentations  that  he  was  compelled 
to  make  of  the  great  majority  of  the  western  tribes, 
was  by  no  means  favorable  to  Captain  Williams' 
purpose  of  raising  a  body  of  men  to  accompany 
him  back  to  the  mountains,  for  his  furs  were  cmficd 
where  the  Great  Arkansas  issues  from  tlm  Rocky 
Mountains.  Nor  did  his  accounts  as  to  the  great 
abundance  of  valuable  furs  in  those  regions  seem 
to  have  much  effect.  The  most  dreadful  stories 
had  been  told  about  the  savage  cruelty  of  the  pi- 
ratical Sioux,  the  ferocity  of  the  ruthless  Black-feet, 
and  the  treachery  of  the  tliicving  and  dishonest 

(128) 


I'^tl 


THE     LOBT     TRAPl'KRS 


120 


other  party — Caman- 
ig  un  horacback^Uii 
8et  out  with  Captuin 
ircr — Their  suflcringa 
t  Mjuirrcla.  Indian 
epare*  a  repaot  for  the 
iuIIm— Strung  wind — 
little  wcif  and  a  tat 
nk — Thoy  rcarh  iho 
ke  hull  boat — Suflcr- 
rolvtti  after  a  bull— A 
lanches — Move  to  an- 
nch  the  MiiwourL 

ount  that  Cap- 
expedition,  and 
was  compelled 
weistern  tribes, 
ptain  Williams' 
to  accompany 
urs  were  cached 
rom  tlm  Rocky 
IS  to  the  great 
e  regions  seem 
Ireadlul  stories 
•uclty  of  the  pi- 
iless  Black-feet, 
:  and  dishonest 


Crows,  and  thoy  were  most  abundantly  confirmed 
by  the  fate  of  Captain  Williams'  party.      His  furs, 
too,  were  in  a  country  infested  by  bands  of  ma- 
rauding Camanches,  a  tribe  that  was   not  behind 
any  other  tribe  in  the  far  west  in  point  of  strength 
and  ferocity.     They  were  represented  as  the  best 
horsemen  in  the  world,  and  as  having  the  fleetest 
horses.      Their  mode  of  fighting  was  always  on 
horseback,  and  they  would  hang  by  one  leg  on  the 
withers  of  their  horses,  throw  themselves  on  one 
side,  so  as  to  make  a  breast-work  of  their  horses, 
and   shoot   their   arrows    from  under  their   necks 
whilst  their  horses  were  at  full  speed.     And  they 
could  shoot  an  arrow  completely  through  a  man, 
horse,  or  bulfalo,  with  all  ease.     Again,  a  body  of 
men  should  be  large  to  go  through  those  regions  of 
danger,  and  such  a  body  could  not  be  raised  any 
where  above   St.  Louis,  as  there  were  very  few 
white  people  at  that  day  above  said  town. 

These  were  the  difliculties  which  met  Captain 
Williams,  whenever  he  made  an  effort  to  collect 
men  to  go  with  him.  The  summer  passed  away 
and  autumn  came  on,  and  not  a  single  man  as  yet 
had  agreed  to  go  ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  latter 
part  of  December  that  two  young  men  informed 
Captain  Williams  they  would  join  him.  They  were 
very  young,  and  as  there  was  a  strong  probability 
that  their  friends  would  interfere,  and  persuade  thera 
to  abandon  a  trip  so  very  dangerous,  the  captain 
found  it  to  be  good  policy  to  start  within  two  or 
three  days  after  they  consented  to  go.  On  the  25th 
of  December  the  old  veteran  trapper,  with  his  two 


■tg"*!).!  I 


mo 


TIIK     I.ClHT     TRAPPERS 


youthful  companionH,  JoHcpli  anil  William  Coopwr, 
Ml  Coopcp'ri  flirt,  a^aill  to  brave  tli»!  pcrila  of  the 
wililerncHH.     Thoy  si-t  out  on  Iioihch,  with  ten  day's 
proviwionH,  and  traveled  up  the  MisHouri   to  fort 
Osage,  where  they  left  the  river  and  went  a  Bouth- 
wewt  course   until    they  struck  the   Osage   river. 
Here  they  found  line  grass  for  their  horses.     In  the 
prairies  there  was  a  (hep  snow,  and  the  wind  blew 
very  cold.      Leaving  the  Osage,  they  journeyed  a 
west  course  until  they  came  to  tin-  Nea.-^ho  river, 
which  is  an  allluent  to  the  Cireat  Arkansas,  and  in- 
terlocks with  the  tributaries  of  the  Kansas.      Two 
days  before  they  reached  the  above  river,  their  pro- 
visions failed,  and  not  a  living   thing  w  as  to  be 
seen  on  the  face  of  the  earth  ;  if  there  had  been 
any  game,  they  probably  could  not  have  secured  it, 
aa  there  was  a  thick,  hard  crust  on   a  deep  snow 
that  covered  the  prairie,  and  when  they  walked  on 
it,  it  created  a  cracking  »ound  that  could  have  been 
heard  a  great  distance.     They  encamped   beforo 
night  in  a  walnut  grovt;  on  the  bottom  of  the  river, 
wearied,  cold,  and  weak  from  hunger.      For  two 
days,  traveling  over  bleak  prairies,  pierced  with 
merciless  winds,  they  had  nothing  to  eat. 

The  thought  presented  itself  to  their  minds,  tliat 
there  might  be  walnuts  under  the  trees  composing 
the  grove  where  they  were  encamped.  They  there- 
fore immediately  began  to  remove  the  crusted  snow, 
and  found  this  fruit  very  abundant;  and  whilst  they 
were  busily  cracking  nuts,  the  sun  came  out  from 
behind  some  dark  winter  clouds,  and  shone  warm 
and  beautifi  1,  and  the  party  were  cheered  with  the 


^ 


^Villiftm  Coopwr, 
\u'  perils  of  the 
H,  with  ten  day's 
JiHHouri  to  fort 
i\  went  a  Houth- 
p   Ortage    river. 

hornex.  In  tli« 
d  the  wind  blew 
ley  journeyed  a 
le  Neaf^ho  river, 
rkunrian,  and  in- 

K  an  Has.  Two 
I  river,  their  pro- 
hiniy^  whh  to  be 

there  hjid  been 

have  secured  it, 
n   a  deep  snow 

they  walked  on 
could  have  been 
ncamped  befora 
torn  of  the  river, 
nger.  For  two 
BB,  pierced  with 
to  eat. 
their  minds,  tliat 

trees  composing 
)ed.  They  there- 
he  crusted  snow, 

;  and  whilst  they 

came  out  from 

ind  shone  warm 

cheered  with  the 


r  H  K     LOST     T  K  A  I'  I'  K  R  8  . 


131 


sight  of  some  squirrelH  that  made  their  appearnnc^. 
They  .succeeded  in  killing  eight  of  them,  and  ate 
three  of  them  that  night.  The  next  day  they  re- 
sumed their  journey,  and  trudged  along  for  three 
dnyn,  having  nothing  on  which  to  subsist  but  five  of 
the  eight  squirrels  they  had  killed.  On  the  fourth 
day  they  came  to  the  Verdigris,  another  tributary  of 
the  Great  Arkansas,  and  found  two  Indian  camp.-i. 
They  were  the  Osages,  who  had  been  out  on  a  buf- 
falo hunt,  but  their  supply  of  provisions  was 
scanty.  They,  however,  manifested  a  very  friendly 
disposition,  and  very  promptly  furnished  the  men 
with  something  to  eat.  Men  as  hungry  as  they 
were,  are  not  disposed  to  be  very  fastidious  as  to 
wh.it  they  eat,  or  the  manner  in  which  it  may  be 
prepared  and  served  up.  A  squaw,  for  the  purpose 
of  cleaning  a  wooden  bowl,  set  it  out  of  the  lodge 
that  the  dogs  might  lick  it,  and  when  this  was  done 
by  the  canine  part  of  the  house-hold,  it  was  filled 
with  a  kind  of  porridge,  in  which  tliere  was  meat 
and  Indian  corn.  To  season  this,  an  old  snaggle- 
toothed  squaw  added  some  small  pieces  of  buffalo 
tallow.  As  she  labored  under  the  disadvantage 
of  not  having  a  knife  to  cut  it,  she  resorted  to  the 
expedient  of  gnaivin^  off  piece  after  piece  ant; 
spitting  it  into  the  bowl. 

On  the  next  day  Captain  Wi'Uams  and  his  two 
men  left  the  lodges  of  the  Osages,  taking  with 
them  five  quarts  of  corn,  which  they  parched,  to 
eat  along  the  way.  After  traveling  two  or  three 
days,  William  Cooper  fainted  on  the  prairie,  from 
hunger  and  fatigue ;  but  Captain  Williams  and  Jo- 


■■<lltr*!8-gWtjM]jl«tP»ljVMIlWW»!l'JUI«llOJ.^  li'l-'      ■'I'll  "T" 


132 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


i-ii 


Bcph   Cooper  carried   him  to   a  point  of  timber, 
where  they  raised  a  fire.     Here  fresh  buffalo  signs 
were  abundant,  and  Williams  and  J.  Cooper  wert 
out  and  killed  two  bulls.    They  took  as  much  meat 
as  they  could  carr^  to  camp,  and  when  they  had 
all  eaten  of  it,  their  faces  as  well  as  their  prospects 
seemed  to  brighten  up,  and  they  felt  ready  as  well 
as  renewed  for  the  resumption  of  their  journey. 
For  seven  or  eight  days  they  continued  to  go  west- 
ward, being  favored  with  good  weather,  except  one 
day  the  wind  blew  so  hard  from  the  west  that  they 
were  compelled  to  stop,  as  they  could  not  get  along 
against  it.     About  the  fifth  of  February  another 
enow  fell,  and  the  weather  turned  intensely  cold. 
The  little  party  had  been  traveling  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Arkansas  ;  they  now  crossed  that  river, 
to  reach  a  warmer  climate.     They  report  the  cold 
as  being  so  great,  that  it  was  with  difliculty  that 
they  saved  their  horses  from  being  frozen  to  death. 
Continuing  a  south-west  course,  within  a  day  or 
two  they  came  to  a  region  where  there  was   no 
snow,  and  grass  was  very  abundant.    A  great  many 
wild  horses  were  to  be  seen  on  the  prairies,  eleva- 
ting their  heads  and  tails  when  the  men  would  ap- 
proach them,  and  snorting,  and  wheeling,  and  rur- 
veting  around.     They  were  of  all  colors.      Large 
gangs,  also,  of  buffalo  and  elk  were  feeding  about, 
and  on  the  outskirts  of  the  buflalo  herds  there  were 
the  usual  appendages :  that  is,  bands  of  hungry 
wolves  sitting  about,  watching  the  buffalo.     En- 
couraged by  numbers,  and  mad  V  :m  hunger,  they 
frequently  make  the  most  desperate  assaults  upon 


^^ 


r 


oint  of  timber, 
ah  buffalo  signs 
J.  Cooper  wert 
k  as  much  meat 
when  they  had 
s  their  prospects 
It  ready  aa  well 
f  their  journey. 
Hied  to  go  west- 
ither,  except  one 
e  west  that  they 
lid  not  get  along 
ebruary  another 
I  intensely  cold, 
ig  on  the  north 
■ossed  that  river, 
r  report  the  cold 
ith  difficulty  that 
;  frozen  to  death, 
wiihin  a  day  or 
TV.  there  was   no 
t.    A  great  many 
le  prairies,  eleva- 
le  men  would  ap- 
heeling,  and  nu-- 
1  colors.      Large 
re  feeding  about, 
herds  there  were 
bands  of  hungry 
the  buffalo.     En- 
\\:m  hunger,  they 
ite  assaults  upon 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


133 


the  buffalo,  and  even  run  down  deer.  Whilst  in 
this  region  of  good  weather,  grass  and  game,  the 
party  lived  high  and  were  in  good  cheei.  When 
they  wanted  meat  they  would  Icill  the  buffalo  cows, 
which  were  very  fat  and  fine.  But  the  weather 
turned  cold  ;  as  they  approached  the  mountains,  the 
buftalo  disappeared,  and  there  was  nothing  to  be 
seen  but  wild  horses  and  restless  packs  of  wolves 
gadding  about,  pinched  witli  cold  and  hunger.  It 
is  an  old  saying,  "  Canis  mm  est  aineni"  (dog  does 
not  eat  dog).  The  same  may  be  said  of  wolves. 
Lupus  non  est  lupum,  (wolf  does  not  eat  wolf).  Yet 
their  ravenous  propensity  is  so  great  as  to  prompt 
them  to  attack  every  thing  else  but  their  own  race. 

Captain  Williams  and  his  men  again  found  them- 
selves destitute  of  provisions,  in  the  midst  of  win- 
ter, and  suffering  from  hunger.  When  they  looked 
out  upon  an  ocean  of  prairie,  they  could  see  noth- 
ing but  a  little  half-starved  wolf,  that  frec-uently 
came  to  gnaw  some  buffalo  bonea  Hunger  con- 
strained them  to  shoot  it.  "  Within  ten  minutes," 
say  the  notes  of  their  journal,  "  his  hide  was  taken 
off  and  some  of  the  meat  was  cooked  and  ready  to 
be  eaten."  They  speak  of  his  llesh  as  having  a  good 
flavor,  and  being  very  refreshing  to  their  hungry 
stomachs.  They  also  cleaned  his  entrails,  and  care- 
fully preserved  tl  om  for  future  necessities.  Such 
are  the  means  to  which  the  early  adventurers  in 
that  country  were  compelled  to  resort  to  prevent 
starving  to  death. 

The  party  also  procured  a  racoon,  which  be^ng 
fat,  made  a  fine  repast.  One  day  an  old  wild  atud  was 


.  .ijiMiiii  ii|«>_..iiTn»n.  'I'rir.iHwiW" 


wmittf^t  I"'  ^  ■HOnJjUWi-'^ 


1S4 


THE     LOST     TRAPPBHS. 


ijl 


seen  by  the  men,  pawinfe  the  ice  to  get  to  water,  at  a 
on!iderable  di/ance  from  the  party,  in  the  pra.r. 
J    Cooper  took  the  advantage  of  some  sand  h,  Is, 
and  go'  within  one   hundred  and  ^rty  yards  O^s 
he  supposed)  when  the   horse   trotted  up   witbn 
eighty  yards,  and  received  a  shot  in  the  bulge  of 
S,  whi;h  only  caused  him  to  -rt  and  Fance 
about  for  the  moment.     Cooper  then  shot  him  the 
tond  time,  in  the  point  of  one  of  his   shoulaers 
which    made    him  run  off  a  short  distance,   and 
lie  down.     Cooper  was  so  weak  from  hunger  that 
he  Z  compelled  to  make  a  rest  of  his  gun  sUck 
a„d  wipin,  stick,  before  he  could  hold  up  h.s  gun 
^vith  sufficient  lirmness  to  shoot  with  any  degree  of 
accuracy.     Captain  Williams  o^^^^-^/^^;"^^; 
ciency  of  Cooper's  shots,  came  up   and  shot  the 
hoJin  the  head.     They  skinned  him,  and  supped 
upon  his  flesh.     His  hide  they  preserved  for  ugB 
.o  bind  up  their  furs,  as  they  were  now  only  a  shor 
lunce  Lm  the  cac^^s.     This  flesh,  to  some  ex  ten 
satisfied  the  cravings  of  their  hungry  appetite^  ,but  it 
was  very  coarse  and  strong,  and  as  they  expressed 
themselves,  "not  fit  for  a  white  man  to  eat.       It 
would  remain  in  the  stomach  for  a  long  time,  in  a 
state  of  indigestion,  and  for  ^f-^^^ays     eight  o 
ten  they  said),  "  they  belched  up  the  old  stud  as 

^*^;;^dt:..-^..  about  the  10th  of  March. 
Thev  found  them  unk  covered  by  wolves  or  Indians, 
and  of  course  undisturbed.  Up  to  this  time  they 
had  lost  none  of  their  horses,  and  now  that  they 
had  reached  the  point,  both  of  place  and  time,  be- 


RS. 

^et  to  water,  at  a 
ty,  in  the  prairie. 
■  some  sand  hills, 
1  forty  yards,  (as 
rotted  up  within 
t  in  the  bulge  of 

snort  and  prance 
then  shot  him  the 

of  his  shoulders, 
ort  distance,   and 

from  hunger  that 
it  of  his  gun  stick 
d  hold  up  his  gun 
.vith  any  degree  of 
)9erving  the  ineffi- 

up  and  shot  the 
d  him,  and  supped 

preserved  for  tugs 
re  now  only  a  short 
iesh,  to  some  extent 
igry  appetite^  ,but  it 
i  as  they  expressed 
e  man  to  eat."  It 
"or  a  long  time,  in  a 
/eral  days,  (eight  or 

up  the  old  stud  as 

It  the  10th  of  March, 
by  wolves  or  Indians, 
Up  to  this  time  they 
s,  and  now  that  they 
if  place  and  time,  be- 


THE    LOST    TRAPPKRS, 


135 


yond  which  they  would  not  have  much  need  of  their 
services,  they  were  not  much  concerned  about  their 
preservation.  Indeed,  as  they  intended  to  take 
their  furs  down  the  river,  and  as  their  horses  might 
betray  them  into  the  hands  of  Indians,  the  safety 
of  the  party  required  that  they  should  get  rid  of 
them,  some  way.  It  would  not  be  safe  to  turn  them 
loose.  They  would  wander  about,  be  picked  up  by 
the  Indians,  and  lead  to  their  discovery.  They, 
therefore,  determined  to  shoot  them,  and  preserve 
by  drying  some  of  their  flesh,  and  throw  them  into 
the  river.  '    ♦  #  -^ 

Within  a  day  or  two,  after  they  reached  the 
caches,  a  herd  of  buffalo  made  their  appearance, 
but  on  the  opposite  (north)  side  of  the  river.  They 
were  moving  toward  their  camp.  The  men  crossed 
the  river,  and  met  them  about  eight  miles  from 
camp,  and  killed  six  of  them.  They  skinned  three 
of  them,  and  took  as  much  meat  as  they  could  carry 
with  the  three  hides  back  to  their  camp.  By  the 
time,  however,  they  had  finished  the  work  of  skin- 
ning and  cutting  night  came  on,  and  they  were  com- 
pelled to  spend  the  night  in  the  prairie  without  fire. 
They  broke  some  of  the  bones*  of  the  buffalo  and 
procured  a  supply  of  marrow,  upon  which  they 
supped,  in  its  raw  state.  They  thought  it  a  great 
luxury.  But  their  bedding  was  at  their  camp,  and 
they  could  get  no  wood  to  make  a  fire,  as  the  tim- 
ber on  that  side  of  the  river  seemed,  at  least,  twenty 
miles  off".  In  this  emergency,  they  spread  one  of 
the  raw  hides  on  the  ground,  upon  which  they 
stretched  themselves,  whilst  they  used  another  of 


« ..«kn«<Mi»KM«ii  M> 


f<iid\ 


nmm>fmmi> i  ■im " . . vv itw.  > 


^mmi* 


136 


THE     LOST    TRAPPERS 


l*f  :■; 


the  hides  for  a  covering.     But  as  the  weather  waa 
very  cold,  their  covering  froze  very  hard  and  would 
not  fit  down  and  around  them.     The  consequence 
was,  the  cold  wind  blew  under  their  covering,  and 
they  suffered  greatly  from   cold  during  the  night. 
The  next  morning  very  early  they  returned,  cross- 
ing the  river  to  the   south  side  to  their  encamp- 
ment.    They  now  went  to  work  to  construct  what 
are  called  bull-boats,  to  convey  their  fur  down  the 
river,  when  the  spring  rise  should  come  down,  caus- 
ed by  the  melting  of  the  snow  in  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains.    This  kind  of  boat  is  made  by  stretching  a 
green  buffalo  hide  over  a  light  frame  of  willows  or 
some  othv^i-  wood.     It  is  then  turned  up  to  the  sun 
to  dry  before  it  is  launched.     It  is  a  very  convenient 
kind  of  water  craft,  and  answers  a  good  purpose, 
where  timber  cannot  be  had  to  make  canoes.     In 
crossing  streams  that  cannot  be  forded,  they  are 
generally  used,  as  they  are  very  easily  constructed, 
and  made  in  a  very  short  time.     They,  however, 
very  soon  begin  to  leak  and  it  is  necessary  to  take 
them  out   of  the  water  and  dry  them.     In  a  few 
days  they  begin  to  rot  and  are  of  no  farther  use. 
Williams  and  the  two  Coopers  made  three  boats  of 
this  kind,  and  after  drying  them,  concealed  them  so 
as  to  have  them  ready  for  the  spring  freshet. 

As  there  was  no  rise  in  the  Arkansas  that  spring, 
our  little  party  for  the  sake  of  greater  security,  went 
down  the  river  to  a  large  plum  thicket,  into  which 
they  crept.  In  the  centre  of  this  fastness  they  cut 
away  the  brush  so  as  to  open  a  place  spacious 
enough  to  allow  them  to  lodge  there  at  night.  They 


ieB<«ww«!*»»'-» 


IRS. 

the  weather  was 
y  hard  and  would 
The  consequence 
leif  covering,  and 
during  the  night. 
y  returned,  croas- 
to  their  encamp- 
to  construct  what 
leir  fur  down  the 
come  down,  caua- 
the  Rocky  Moun- 
le  by  stretching  a 
ime  of  willows  or 
•ned  up  to  the  sun 
a  very  convenient 
3  a  good  purpose, 
make  canoes.     In 
3  forded,  they  are 
jasily  constructed, 
They,  however, 
necessary  to  take 
them.     In  a  few 
of  no  farther  use. 
ade  three  boats  of 
concealed  them  so 
ring  freshet, 
kansas  that  spring, 
ater  security,  went 
hicket,  into  which 
fastness  they  cut 
a  place  spacious 
ere  at  night.  They 


THK     LOST     Th  A  I' HERS. 


137 


\ 


el«o  opened  a  narrow  pulh  lioni  llie  centre  to  the 
outside  to  admit  of  tlifir  passing  in  and  out.     At 
the  same  time  thoy  cut  a  small  hack-berry  bush, 
which  they  made  to  answer  the  purpose  of  a  gate. 
At  night  it  was  placed   in   this  narrow  path,  and 
made  it  perfectly  impassable.     In  the  morning   it 
was  rolled  out  of  the  path  upon  the  thicket.     Here 
they  took  up  their  residence,  until  the  river  should 
rise,  or   some   marauding  band   of  Indians  should 
find    them.       Whilst  here,  and  at   a   time  when 
they  were  almo.st  destitute  of  anything  to  eat,  aa 
they  were   lounging  about  the  border  of  the  plum 
thicket,  peering  over  the  prairies,   they  saw  at  a 
great  distance  a  large  bull  attacked  by  two  wolves; 
he  was  coming  toward  the  thicket,  and  as  he  passed 
the  men  the  number  of  the  wolves  had  increased  to 
about  fifty.     He  betook  himself  to  the  river,  which 
was  but  a  few  steps  from  the  camp.     The  wolves 
dashed  into  the  water  after  him.     As  the  rivei  was 
very  low  and  the  water  shallow,  no  part  of  him  was 
covered  but  his  legs,  sometimes  he  was  covered  with 
the  wolves   gnawing  him  in  every  part.     At  last 
they  cut    his  ham-strings,   which    caused  him  to 
sink   down.     The  men  then  shot  the  bufl'alo  and 
drove  away  the  wolves  and  took  possession  of  hia 

carcass. 

During  their  imprisonment  in  this  thicket  one  day 
seemed  as  long  aa  four,  as  they  had  no  way  to 
amuse  themselves,  and  were  compelled  to  spend 
day  after  day,  and  night  after  night,  in  and  about 
their  sequestered  lodge.  They  were  in  a  region 
full  of  danger,  as  they  frequently  saw  Indians  on 


jl.ll)      ii«lfclM<Wil|l 


II      I   n.^cwmwg'*'''' 


138 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


it 


'£11, 


the  prairie.  Josepii  Cooper  had  a  small  prayer- 
book,  that  he  read«very  day  to  his  two  companions, 
and  in  the  evening  he  was  in  the  habit  of  sticking 
it  up  in  the  fork  of  a  little  hack-berry  tree.  It 
would  appear  that  the  lessons  read  from  the  prayer- 
book  were  not  very  acceptable  to  the  company,  as 
one  morning  the  book  was  found  in  the  ashes  and 
burnt.  Joseph  Cooper  seemed  not  to  miss  his  book, 
but  occasionally  recited  from  his  memory  an  exer- 
cise equally  as  dry  and  tasteless  as  the  book. 

After  being  there  about  twenty  long  days,  the 
monotony  of  the  place  was  interrupted  by  three 
Camanchcs,  who  discovered  the  men,  and  shot 
several  arrows  at  them  before  they  got  into  their 
place  of  security.  Two  of  the  Indians  remained 
to  watch  the  men,  whilst  the  other  one  put  off  to 
communicate  the  nev/s  to  their  party.  During  the 
absence  of  the  one,  Captain  Williams  spoke  to  the 
two  that  stood  as  guard  about  sixty  yards  from 
the  thicket,  and  such  were  the  answers  he  received, 
that  he  went  to  them  and  succeeded  in  getting 
them  to  the  camp.  The  men  gave  them  the  best 
they  had  to  eat,  and  got  them  in  a  very  pleasant 
and  talkative  mood.  About  three  hours  after  they 
gaw  a  great  fog  or  dust,  and  a;  r  a  little  time  they 
discovered  that  it  was  made  by  many  Indians  on 
horse-back.  They  came  ready  for  battle,  naked, 
except  a  flap,  and  furnished  with  bows  and  arrows 
and  arrow-fenders  or  shields.  When  they  came 
within  forty  yards  of  the  camp  they  were  met  by 
the  two  that  had  remained  at  the  camp,  and  after 
fi,  talk  among  them  that  lasted  about  five   min- 


Ill     -HI  ij ii^fffW>?WWgw 


!RS. 

a  small  prayer- 
two  companions, 
habit  oi'  sticking 
3k-berry  tree.  It 
1  from  the  prayer- 
)  the  company,  as 
in  the  ashes  and 
t  to  miss  his  book, 
memory  an  exer- 
is  the  book, 
ty  long  days,  the 
n-rupted  by  three 
e  men,  and  shot 
hey  got  into  their 
Indians  remained 
er  one  put  off  to 
arty.  During  the 
iams  s])oke  to  the 
sixty  yards  from 
swers  he  received, 
needed  in  getting 
A'e  them  the  best 
n  a  very  pleasant 
e  hours  after  they 
•  a  little  time  they 
■  many  Indians  on 
for  battle,  naked, 
bows  and  arrows 
When  they  came 
;hey  were  met  by 
e  camp,  and  after 
about  five   min- 


T  H  E     I.  O  S  T      r  R  A  r  1'  K  R  S  . 

utes,  thev  dismounted  and  stripped  their  horses  to 
remain  there  all  night.      Having  regulated  matters 
about  their  camp,  they  went  to  that  of  Captain 
Williams.     They  had   a  great  curiosity  to  know 
something  about  the  white  man's  gun,  which  they 
had  never  seen  before.     They  expressed  a  wish  to 
see  it  used,  and  made  a  small  circle,  which  they 
drew  with  a  piece  of  charcoal  on  a  piece  of  cotton- 
wood,  at  which  Captain  Williams  shot  to  show 
them  the  dexterity  of  the  white  man  in  the  use  of 
the  rifle.     The  captain  shot  and  nearly  drove  the 
centre  of  the  circle.      They  were  delighted  with 
the  performance,  and  expressed  a  wish  to  see  the 
other  men  shoot.    Captain  Williams  told  them  that 
these  two  men  would  put  their  balls  just  there, 
pointing  at  the  same  time  to  the  centre. 

The  party  were  certainly  very  fortunate  in  getting 
on  the  right  side  of  these  savages.    The  Caman- 
ches  are  one  of  the  most  ferocious  and  barbarous 
tribes  in  the  far  west,  and  notorious  for  their  cru- 
elty to  those  who  fall   into  their  hands,  and  for 
many  years  subsequent  to  that  day  for  being  the 
implacable  foes  of  the  white  man.     The  Camanche 
Indians  may  be  justly  called  "  the  terror  of  the 
Santa  Fe  trade."    Captain  Williams  found  it  neces- 
sary, for  their  escape,  to  practice  some  deception 
upon  them.     The  Camanches  were  very  shortly 
going  to  war  against  the  Pawnees,  and  were  ac- 
tively engaged  in  preparing  for  it.     This  fact  the 
sagacious  captain  learned  fi-om  the  two  that  had 
remained  to  watch  their  lodge.     He  professed  to 
have  sustained  injuries  from  that  tribe,  and  to  en- 


»4kM*> 


wmfmfmifmfirrm 


•^((••■•"W*" 


H 


^  ,,i ' 


1 


140 


TIIK     LOST    TRAPPERS. 


tertain  designs  of  revenging  them,  and  offered  to 
join    the    Camanches    against    them.      This   plan 
acted  like  a  charm.     They  treated  the  three  men 
with  much  friendship,  and  informed  our  men  that 
they  were  going  to  one  of  their  villages,  and  that 
they  would  return  in  four  days,  and  when  they 
returned  it  was  a  mutual  understanding  that  tlie 
three  white  men  were  tc  accompany  them  against 
the  Pawnees.    The  Indians,  after  spending  the  night 
with  them,  left  them  the  next  morning.     Early  the 
following  night  our  little  party  hurried  away  from 
the  place  where  they  had  made  so  narrow  an  es- 
cape.    They  took  the  trace  made  by  the  Indians 
down  the  river,  and  followed  it  for  several  miles. 
Their  policy  in  doing  this  was  to  prevent  their  own 
trace  from  being  perceived.      They  traveled  hard 
that  right,  and  waded  the  river  three  or  four  times, 
and  about  sun-rise  they  recvchcd  another  large  plum 
thicket  on  an  island  in  the  Arkansas,  in  the  heart 
of  which   they    opened   room      -r   another   lodge. 
Here  they  laid  themselves  down  to  take  that  rest 
they  so  much  needed,  and  a  snow  fell  upon  them 
about   three   inches   tteep.      Although  it  was  the 
latter  part  of  April,  the  proximity  of  this  region  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains  made  the  weather  at  that 
time  of  the  year  quite  cold.     They  were  afraid  to 
move,  as  there  was  a  snow  on  the  ground,  and 
therefore  remained  not  only  that  day,  but  that  night 
also,  wrapped  up  in  their  buffalo  robes  under  the 
snow,  without  fire  or  any  thing  to  eat. 

They  remained  on  this  island  until  the  middle  of 
June,  during  which  they  found  a  plenty  of  game  on 


mJHLmMMm 


TIIK     LOST     TRAI'I'KRa 


lit 


niid  offered  to 
n.  ThiH  plan 
the  three  men 
i  our  men  that 
lageH,  and  that 
ind  when  they 
Hiding  that  tlie 
y  them  against 
inding  the  night 
ing.  Early  the 
pied  away  from 

narrow  an  es- 

by  the  Indiana 
•  several  miles, 
event  their  own 
y  traveled  hard 
e  or  four  times, 
ithcr  large  plum 
ms,  in  the  heart 

another  lodge. 
)  take  that  rest 

fell  upon  them 
ugh  it  was  the 
jf  this  region  to 
veathcr  at  that 

were  afraid  to 
the  ground,  and 
y,  but  that  night 
robes  under  the 
eat. 

til  the  middle  of 
enty  of  game  on 


the   island  for  their  purposes.     They  then  started 
back  up   the  river,  which  was  then  rising,  went  to 
their  cac'fics,  raised  their  fur,  and  set  off  with  it  with 
all  haste  down  the  river,  in  their  bull-boats.     They 
glided  along  smoothly  and  quietly    for  ten  days, 
when  they  were  compelled  to  stop  and  dry  their 
boats.      After  starting  for  the  second  time,  and  tra- 
veling a  few  miles,  they  saw  a  large  company  of 
Indians,  who  had  been  encamped  a  short  distance 
from  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  were  taking  up  their 
lodges  to   leave.     The  men  glided  along    under  a 
bluff  bank  which  prevented  them  from  being  discov- 
ered. Their  boats  lasted  only  four  days  longer,  when 
they  began  to  leak,  and  the  party  wer     compelLjd 
to  stop  and  kill  buffalo,  and  make  new  boats  of  this 
kind,  as  they  had  not  yet  come  to  timber  of  which 
canoes  could  be  made.    These  boats  proved  to  have 
less  durability,  than  the   first  they  made,  as   they 
lasted  but  nine  days,  when  they  were  abandoned  as 
useless.     By  this  time,  however,  they  had  come  to 
timber,  and  they  went  to  work  with  two  axes  and 
made  two  canoes,  which  they  lashed  together,  and 
in  which  they  put  their  furs.     In  these  they  resumed 
their  journey,  and  Jloatcd  down  with  the  current, 
without  any  thing  occurring  to  excite  unusual  ap- 
prehensions of  danger,  until  the  fourth  day,  when 
they,  as  they  were  descending  the  river,  heard  below 
them  the  report   of  guns,  and  the  sound  of  that 
which  seemed  to  be  bells.     They  therefore  pushed 
their  canoes  to  shore  and  concealed  them  by  hack- 
ing down  bushes  over  thera ;  and  remained  there 
until  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  night.     They  then 


i 


/  >  'i 


142 


TIIK     LOST     TRAPI'KRH. 


I  i 


Iff  {. 


vci-y  cautiously  puslitd  their  ciinocH  into  the  current, 
and  aa  the  night  wan  dariv  and  rain  wan  falling,  they 
passed  without  being  seen  by  the  Havages.     Ah  it 
fre(iuently    lightened,  when  they  were  paasing  tho 
Indians,  they  unexpectedly  found  themBclves  pass- 
ihg  down   considerable  falls  in  the  Arkansas,  of 
which  they  had  no  knowledge.     They  passed  over 
without  any  unfavorable  accident.     Two  daya  jour- 
ney from  these  falls  they  overtook  eight  Cherokee 
Indians  going  down  to  one  of  their  villages.     At 
first  they  were  very  shy  and  alarmed,  but  the  party 
laid  down  their  guna  and  made  signs  of  friendship, 
and  they  then   met  Captain    Williams  and  talked 
with  him.     lie  procured  from  them  some  salt  and 
tobacco,  luxuries  by  the  way,  which  they  had  not 
tasted  for  the  last  nix  months.     When  the  interview 
ended  between  the  captain  and  the  Indians, they  both 
moved  on  in  their  canoes.     The  Indians  showed  a 
disposition  to  keep  with  the  captain,  and  the  cap- 
tain knowing  the  treacherous  charact<?r  of  the  sav- 
ages, was  as  anxious  to  get  rid  of  them.     For  two 
or  three  days  they  hung  about  our  little  party  in 
spite  of  all  that  they  could  do  to  prevent  it,  landing 
when   they  would  land,  and  traveling  when   and 
only  when  they  would  travel. 

Wiien  they  drew  near  a  Cherokee  village,  these 
fellows  went  ahead,  as  it  afterwards  appeared,  to 
communicate  to  their  people  the  fact  of  these  men 
being  on  the  river,  and  to  prepare  to  rob  them.  For 
when  they  approached  the  village,  the  river  was 
absolutely  covered  with  canoes,  playing  about  on 
the  surface  of  the  water,  and  a  drum  and  afe  were 


■1.  JIItT* 


RH. 

<i  into  the  current, 
1  wart  fiilUng,  they 
1  Hiivages.     Ah  it 
tvere  paoHing  the 
themBelves  poas- 
thc  ArkansaB,  of 
rhey  pasrtetl  over 
Two  days  jour- 
k  eight  Cherokee 
lieir  villages.     At 
lied,  but  the  party 
gns  of  friendship, 
lliamt)  and  talked 
em  some  salt  and 
hich  they  had  not 
'hen  the  interview 
!  Indians, they  both 
Indians  showed  a 
tain,  and  the  cap- 
iractt»r  of  the  sav- 
)f  them.     For  two 
our  little  party  in 
prevent  it,  landing 
iveling  when  and 

okce  village,  these 
lards  appeared,  to 
fact  of  these  men 
e  to  rob  them.  For 
age,  the  river  was 
,  playing  about  on 
ilrum  and  fife  were 


T  II  K      I.OHT     TRAI'Pi:  RH 


14:1 


niaUing  miisi.! ;    and  wht*n  Captain  Wiiiianis'  ca- 
n,>v»  oaiiH-   opportilr  U>   tli.-ir  villa«.-,  thr    Indians 
row.-d  up  by  tin-  nide  of  llieni,  sprung  into  th.'Ui, 
prized  llir  rilhs,  clainu'd  the  three  men  as  |)rison- 
ers,  and  tumbled  all  the  furs  out  on  shore  and  car- 
ri»'d  thein  oil".     In  the  meantime  Williams  and  the 
two  Coopers  were  ordered  to  follow  a  large  Indian, 
whilst  they  were  guarded  by  about  fifty  with  guns. 
They  were  conducted  about  ten  miles,  to  an  agent 
for  the   Cuited  States,  a   Mr.  Lovely,  for  trial,   as 
they  were  suspected  for  being  three  men  who  had 
robbed  the  ( )sages,  and  whom  Lovely  had   author- 
ized to  be  apprehended.    They  were  detained  about 
three  days,  when,  having  satisfied  th<'  agent  that 
they  were  not  the  men  they  were  supposed  to  be, 
they  were  discharged,  and  their  furs  were  restored 

to  them. 

Down  the  river  Arkansas  our  three  adventurers 
continued  to  iloat  in  their  cotton-wood  craft,  de- 
lighted with  their  success  in  escaping  all  the  dan- 
gers behind  them,  and  with  tli(!  prospect  of  soon 
being  within  the  limits  of  the  country  inhabited  by 
the  white  man.     They  soon  reach.-d,  after  passing 
the  Cherokee  village,  a  trading  post,  not  far  above 
what  is  now  the  seat  of  government  of  Arkansas, 
where  they  disjjosi'd  of  their  furs  for  the  snug  sum 
of  about  five  thousand  dollars,  to  a  white  trader, 
whose   nam.^   was  M.   Murry.     Those   liirs   would 
now  bring  double  that  am(mnt.     From  this  point 
th«7  crossed  to  St.  Louis,  and  from  thence  up  the 
Missouri  back  again  to  Cooper's  fort,  after  an  ab- 
sence of  about  one  year. 


UL^ 


.1: 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Arkanmii  river— Hunter'*  parailiw!— Ita  Murcc— Slatemento  of  Pike- 
Workman  and  H,*ncer  dc«cend  Uie  CoU.rado— Hwncry  of  ihnt 
river-Hpaniah  Carayan-Th«y  go  to  Upin-r  CaUfomia-8i)cn.l  the 
winter  in  that  countiy,  examining  the  country-Return  to  Santa  Fc. 

Before  we  return  to  the  narrative  of  the  eventa 
that  attended  the  wanderingn  of  Workman  and 
Spencer,  we  will  furninh  a  few  facts  in  relation  to 
the  Arknnsaa  river  and  the  country  through  which 
it  paases.  Thia  great  affluent  to  the  Misrtissippi, 
from  itP  mouth  to  its  nourcc,  is  upwards  of  two 
thousf  Tiilcs  in  length,  and  iri  navigable  to  tho 
mount  'uring  the  f pring  froHlut ;  at  any  other 

time  of  the  year  its  navigation  is  extremely  uncer- 
tain that  high  up.     It  has  one  peculiarity,  noticed 
by  all  who  have  seen  it,  and  that  is,  about  two 
hundred  milea  from  its  source  it  has  a  deep,  navi- 
gable stream  any  season  of  the  year,  whilst  for  an 
extent  of  four  or  five   hundred   miles  below  tho 
mountains  the  bed  of  the  river  is  wide  and  a  perfect 
sand-bar,  which,  in  the  summer  season,  is  so  near 
dry  that  the  water  does  not  run,  but  stands  about 
in  ponds.     The  w'ater  no  doubt  sinks.     "  The  bor- 
ders of  the  Arkansas  river,"  says  one  who  explored 
that  country  in  1807,  "may  be  termed  the  terrestrial 
paradise  of  our  territories  for  the  wandering  savr 

(144) 


!.*\i 


■  W^MttnHliI'Mmtt*'""*     " 


»••»»» 


•rnKmrn 


Til  i;    i.o.s  r    T  II  A  V  I'l;  RS 


115 


7. 


-Stateinrnto  of  Pike— 

rado— Kcenery  of  ihnt 

California — Bpciiil  Iho 

r— Return  to  Santa  Fo. 

ive  of  the  eventH 
f  Workman  and 
!tB  in  relation  to 
ry  through  which 
)  the  MisrtiHsippi, 
upwarilrt  of  two 
.  navigable  to  the 
lilt ;  at  any  other 
extremely  uncer- 
•culiarity,  noticed 
lat  is,  about  two 
has  a  deep,  navi- 
ear,  whilst  for  an 
milew  below  the 
vide  and  a  perfect 
»ieaHon,  is  so  near 
but  stands  about 
(inks.     "The  bor- 
one  who  explored 
Tied  the  terrestrial 
le  wandering  savr 


mif'ti.     Of  III!  <'(.iiiilrii',-t  viHitfd   by  the  footntcprt  of 
civilized  iiuiii,  tlnif  never  was  one,  probably,  that 
produced  gniiie  in  greater  abnii(laiice,  and  xve  know 
that  the  miinner;^  and  morula  of  lliose  erratic  na- 
tions are  such  as  iievi-r  to  give  lliein  a  numerous 
population  ;  and  I  believe  thai  there  are  bull'alo,  elk 
and  deer  siiliieienl  on  the  banks  of  th«  Arkansas 
alone,  if  used  \vitht)Ut  waste,  to  feed   all   the   sav- 
ages in  tlu'  United  States'  territory  one  century." 
The  above  extract  is  from   I'ike's  journal,  and  al- 
though it  may  seem  extravagant,  it  is  most  abun- 
dantly conHrmcd  by   the  observation  of  all  nn'n 
who  traveled  through  those   regions   at  that  early 
day.     A  gentleman  now  living  in  Missouri,  whose 
word  is  as  go(  d  as   that  of  any  living  man,  and 
who  was  amon','  the  first  traders  to  Santa  Fe,  in- 
formed me  that  Lis  wagons  were  stopped  for  two 
hours  i.y  a  frighltuied  herd  of  bulfalo,  that   threat- 
ened to  overrun  their  caravan.      They  succeeded 
in  dividing  the  multitude,  by  tiring  their  guns  and 
bhouting  at  the  toj)  of  their  voices,  and  they  passed 
on  both  sides.     As  far  as  they  could  see,  in  every 
direction  from  the  point  they  occupied,  the  face  of 
the  country  seemed  to  be  densely  covered  with  the 
moving  mass  of  living  animals.     How  immensely 
great  must  the  herd  have  been,  when  their  passing 
the  caravan  consumed  about  two  hours.    We  could 
give   many   other   similar   statements,  if  it  were 
necessary,  made  by  a  gentleman  of  veracity,  going 
to  prove  the  abundance  of  bulfalo  at  that  time,  on 
all  the  western  and  south-western  waters.     The 
earliest  adventurers  were  under  the  impression  that 
18 


146 


Tin:     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


m  I  I 


game  could   not  become   scarce,   and   that   there 
would  be  an  abundance  for  the  .avagc.  lor  many 

ages  to  come.  .  ,     ^i      „ 

Ut  us   comrare   these    statements    with   those 
found    in   Captain    Fremont's   expedition    m    the 
years  1843-4.     "A  great  portion  of  the  region  in- 
habited by  this  nation  {the  Sho.honees)  formerly 
abounded   in  game,  the  bullalo  ranging  about  in 
herd-,   as  we  found  them  on  the  ea..tern  waters,  and 
the  plains  dotted  with  scattering  bands  of  antel<M.e  i 
but  so  vapidly  have  they  disappeared  within  a  lew 
years,  that  now,  as  w  journeyed  along,  an  occa- 
sional butlalo  and  a  fev.  wild  antelope  were  all  that 
remained  of  the  abundance  which  had  covered  the 
country  with  animal  life.    The  extraordinary  rapid- 
ity with  which  the  builalo  is  disappearing  irom  our 
territory  will  not  appear  surprising,  ^^cn  we  re- 
member the  great  scale  on  which  their  destruction 
i8  Yearly  carried  ou.     With  inconsiderable  excep- 
tions, the  business  of  the  American  trading  posts 
is  carried  on  in  their  skins  ;  every  year  the  Indian 
villages  make  new  lodges,  for  which  the  skin  of  the 
buffalo  furnishes  the  material  ;  and  in  that  portion 
oi  the  country  where  they  are  still  found,  the  Indi- 
ans   derive   their   entire    support   from   them,  and 
slaughter  them  with  thougl.tless  and    abominable 
extravagance.     Like  the  Indians  themselves    they 
have  been  a  characteristic  of  the  west,  and  like 
them  they  are  visibly  diminishing." 

About  twenty-five  years  ago,  near  the  sources  oi 
the  Colorado  and  Bear  river,  buflalo  existed  in 
great  abundance,  and  seemed  to  be  an  inexhausti- 


■- .  '■^•■tll^.lWU  . 


IS. 

and   that  there 
vagcs  for  many 

(>ntd    with   those 
peditiou    in    the 
af  the  region  in- 
lionees)  formerly 
•anging  about  in 
latern  waters,  and 
iinds  of  anteh'pe ; 
ired  within  a  few 
along,  an  occa- 
lope  were  all  that 
1  had  covered  the 
traordinary  rapid- 
ppearing  from  our 
ing,  \v1ien  we  re- 
l»  their  destruction 
insidcrahle  excep- 
can  trading  posts 
y  year  the  Indian 
lich  the  skin  of  the 
ind  in  that  portion 
ill  found,  the  Indi- 
t  from  them,  and 
s  and    abominable 
rt  themselves,  they 
the  west,  and  like 

cr  " 

near  the  sources  of 
buflalo  existed  in 
0  be  an  inexhausti- 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


tm 


ble  source  of  subsistence  upon  which  the  savages 
might  safely  depend  for  a  century  to  come.  But 
the  burt'alo  are  gone  from  that  region,  and  the  poor 
destitute  natives  are  frequently  exposed  to  starva- 
tion. There  is  reason  to  believe  that  buffalo  were 
never  so  abundant  in  and  west  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains as  they  were  on  the  eastern  waters.  Through- 
out all  the  country  east  of  the  mountains  are  found 
what  are  called  biiHal*  paths  or  routes,  that  con- 
tinue for  hundreds  of  nuies,  from  several  inches  to 
several  feet  in  depth.  These  ancient  vestiges  are 
not  met  with  west  of  the  mountains. 

The  time  was  when  expeditions  crossing  the 
plains  from  Missouri  to  Santa  Fe,  and  from  Mis- 
souri to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  could  almost  at  any 
time  see  bands  of  bilfalo  ranging  about,  and  could 
safely  depend  upon  them  for  subsistence.  Now  an 
expedition  does  nol  think  of  depending  upon  the 
game  of  the  country  to  sustain  them  on  their  jour- 
ney, but  are  always  supplied  with  provisions  to 
take  them  through.  A  company  going  either  to 
Oregon  or  Santa  Fe  would  have  to  travel  several 
hundred  miles  from  Independence,  a  frontier  town 
of  Missouri,  before  they  would  see  buffalo,  and 
when  they  see  them,  they  may  look  out  for  Indians, 
as  they  now,  like  the  wolves,  follow  the  buffalo. 

To  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  extent  of 
the  trade  m  buffalo  skins,  as  carried  on  by  the  dif- 
ferent compb,iiies,  we  would  state  that  Captain 
Fremont  gives  a  statement  furnished  him  by  a 
partner  of  the  American  Fur  Company,  which  fixes 
the  total  amount  of  robes  annually  traded  to  the 


148 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS 


different  companies  at  ninety  thousand.      But  we 
are  to  remember  that  there  are  a  number  of  tribes 
of  Indiana  who  depend  upon  the  buflalo  for  subsis- 
tence, who  furnish  no  skins  for  trade.    The  Indians, 
too,  generally  kill  the  greatest  number  of  buffalo 
in  the  summer  and  fall  seasons,  to  a.  ail  themselves 
of  a  hot  sun  to  dry  the  meat  for  winter  provisions  ; 
and  yet  at  this  time  the  skins  are  not  fit  for  pur- 
poses of  trade.     The  skins  that  are  good  for  dress- 
ing are  only  those  that  are  procured  in  the  winter, 
when  the  wool  and  hair  is  long.     To  this  is  to  be 
added  the  fact  that  the  hides  of  bulls  are  not  taken 
off  and  dressed  at  any  sca.-on.     And  then  again 
an  immense  number  of  calves   are  killed  by  the 
wolves. 

Immense,  therefore,  as  the  herds  of  buffalo  may 
have  been,  from  the  above  statements,  it  will  not 
be  difficult  to  see  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant 
when  the  race  of  that  animal  will  be  almost  if  not 
quite  extinct  on  the  plains  and  prairies  of  the  far 
west.  The  question  may  be  asked,  what  will  be 
the  means  of  subsistence  left  the  different  tribes 
when  this  takes  place  ?  We  answer,  those  tribes 
are  diminishing  and  disappearing  as  fast,  if  not 
faster,  than  their  means  of  subsistence.  Such  are 
the  dreadful  conllicts  that  are  constantly  taking 
place  between  the  different  tribes,  such  the  massa- 
cres and  burning  of  each  other's  towns  and  villages, 
besides  acts  of  cruelty  perpetrated  by  individuals, 
that  scarcely  the  name  remains  of  tribes  thiit  were 
once  very  numerous  and  formidable.  And  if  these 
savage  customs  arc  kept  up,  as  they  in  all  proba- 


'aEmuit^jaie^^ 


HijMiiiuiiiimiLiiwmiiiij  iigiMiliM*wCi»«'iiWi>W'HWi' 


But  we 
IT  of  tribes 
for  subsis- 
'he  Indians, 
of  buffalo 
themselves 
provisions  ; 
fit  for  pur- 
d  for  dress- 
the  winter, 
[lis  is  to  be 
e  not  taken 
then  again 
lied  by  the 

buffalo  may 
,  it  will    not 

far  distant 
hnotit  if  not 
!s  of  the  far 
hat  will  be 
crent  tribes 
those  tribes 

fast,  if  not 

Such  are 

intly   taking 

1  the  niassa- 

and  vil!ajj;c's, 

individuals, 
33  that  were 
A^nd  if  these 
1  all  proba- 


■^l»«wnilHI'WfWgWW»» 


r'mur^lL'iifM' 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


149 


bility  will  be,  the  race  of  the  red  man  will  diminish 
so  fast  that  they  will  not  furnish  any  obstruction 
to  the  expansion  of  our  population  and  the  occuf  a- 
tion  of  their  territory.  When  their  country  may 
be  needed  to  receive  the  surplus  of  our  rapidly  in- 
creasing population,  there  will  be  no  necessity  to 
prompt  us  to  get  it  by  conquest  or  by  purchase. 
The  original  proprietors  will  not  be  there  to  vindi- 
cate their  claims  to  it,  or  to  waylay  the  white  man 
and  take  his  scalp. 

Captain  Williams  speaks  of  the  country  near  the 
Arkansas  as  generally  beautiful  and  rich,  as  admi- 
rably adapted  to  the  raising  of  stock  of  every  kind. 
Any  number  of  horses,  cattle  and  sheep  could  be 
kept  there,  as  the  earth,  both  winter  and  summer, 
furnishes  spontaneously  an  abundance  of  food. 
The  difficulty  in  the  way  of  that  country  being 
densely  populated  is  the  total  want  of  timber  in 
many  parts.  But  it  has  been  satisfactorily  demon- 
strated that  timber  can  be  raised  with  success  in 
the  rich  soil  of  the  west.  The  discovery  of  coal,  no 
doubt,  will  make  the  country  habitable.  In  many 
places  in  the  prairie  states,  coal  has  been  found  in 
abundance,  supplying  the  absence  of  timber. 

We  have  said  that  Williams,Workman  and  Spencer 
supposed  they  were  on  the  Red  river,  and  the  little 
knowledge  they  had  of  the  country  led  Workman 
and  Spencer  to  think  that,  if  they  ascended  this 
(Red)  river  to  its  source  and  crossed  a  mountain 
range  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  they  would  be  in 
the  Spanish  country,  and  somewhere  near  Santa  Fe, 
the  seat  of  government.     And  they  would  have 


1^ 


m 


KiMH 


mm 


T  II  K      l.iJST     T  R  A  1'  r  i:  RS  . 

reached  Santa  Fe  by  this  route,  ilthey  had  really  been 
on  Red  river,  but  they  were  on  the  great  Arkansas. 
Laboring  under  this  mistake,  our  two  trappers  set 
off' up  the  river,  resolved  to  follow  the  main  branch 
to  its  source,  from  which  they  must  have  been  at 
that  time  not  less  than  three  or  four  hundred  miles. 
Fortunately  they  were  but  a  few  days'  travel  from 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  passed  over  that  part  of 
their  journey,  by  the  i-xercise  of  a  great  deal  of 
caution,  without  being   detected   by  the    savages. 
"When   they  reached   the  mountains,  they  observed 
game  was  diminishing  in  (juantity,  which  was  a  cir- 
cumstance in   their  favor,  as  the  country  was   not 
likely  to  be  overrun  with  prowling  bands  of  Indiana. 
Indeed  they  saw  very  few  signs  of  Indians,  and 
what  they  saw  were  very  old.     When  they  entered 
the  mountains,  they  traveled  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river,  for  two  or  three  days,  and  then  crossed  to 
the  north  side.     They  speak  of  a  very  high  peak  that 
was  visible  nearly  all  the  time  they  were  on  that 
river.     Its  top  was  covered  with  snow  and  glistened 
in  the  sun.     It  seemed  so  very  high,  touse  their  own 
words  "  that  a  cloud  could  not  pass  between  its  top 
and  the  sky."     It  was,  most  probably  the  peak,  the 
altitude  of  which  was  taker.'  by  Lieutenant  Pike,  the 
year  before,  (1807),  and  found  to  be  about  eighteen 
or  nineteen  thousand   feet  above  the  level  of  the 
ocean.    This  peak  is  so  very  remarkable  as  to  be 
known  to  all  the  savage  nations  for  hundreds  of 
miles  around,  and  to  be  spoken  of  with  admiration  by 
the  Spaniards  of  New  Mexico,  and  was  the  bounds 
of  their  travels  north-west.    Pike  speaks  of  it,  as 


iw.iij  tuiiM.ui  ii..ji»|>l8»|rtegW»iWiiUIIMJUjiilllMlllillWlJI>Ul»lll^ 


Til  K     I.')  «T      I' It  ^  ''  ''  KRX  ■ 


151 


really  been 
ArkanHas. 
•appera  set 
ain  branch 
ve  been  at 
dred  miles, 
travel  from 
hat  part  of 
lat  deal  of 
B    savages, 
y  observed 
1  was  a  cir- 
•y  was   not 
of  Indiana, 
ndians,  and 
ley  entered 
ith  side  of 
I  crossed  to 
h  peak  that 
ere  on  that 
id  glistened 
e  their  own 
ireen  its  top 
e  peak,  the 
nt  Pike,  the 
mt  eighteen 
level  of  the 
tie  as  to  be 
[lundreds  of 
[miration  by 
I  the  bounds 
&ks  of  it,  as 


not  being  out  of  sight,  for  twenty-live  or  thirty  days. 
It  is  characteristic  of  the  very  high  peaks,  in  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  that    they  can  be  seen  a  very 
great  distance,  although  they  may  appear  to  be 
within  a  day's   ride.     The   tt)p    of  some  of  thesis 
peaks  arc  inaccessible,  from  obstructions  that  are  in 
the  way,  and  from  tlie  fact,  that  tliey  are  covered 
with  deep  snows.     Workman  and  Spencer  whilst 
on  the  Arkansas  observed  the  trace  of  a  party  as- 
cending the  river,  which  was  old,  and  proved  to  be 
that  of  Tike's  partv-  in  1807,  as  they  saw  the  names 
of  the  men  occasionally  engraved  on  rock  and  trees, 
and  the  name  Red  river  also,  a  circumstance  that 
confirmed  them  in  their  notion,  that  they  were  on 
that  river.     This  fact  was  calculated  to  encourage 
them,  as  they  were  not  aware  of  the  fact,  that  lieu- 
tenant Pike  himself  was  laboring  at  the  time  that 
he  was  on  the  Arkansas,  under  the  same  mistake, 
and  found  himself  on  the  Rio  Del  Norte,   in   the 
Spanish  country,  to  his  great  regret,  and  contrary  to 
his  intentions.     They,  therefore,  aimed  to  follow  the 
trail   of  Pike's  company,  as  it  would  lead  them  to 
the  source  of  Red  river,  whence  they  would  cross 
into  New  Mexico.      As   it  was   summer   season, 
Workman  and  Spencer  fared  much  better  than  they 
would,  if  it  had  been  winter.     They  traveled  all  day 
when  they  thought  it  safe  to  do  so,  and  killed  no 
more  game  than  was  necessary  to  supply  them  with 
provisions.     As  they  approached  the  source  of  the 
Arkansas,  the  altitude  of  the  country  seemed  to  be 
very  great,  and  there  were  a  number  of  peaks  of 
vast  elevation,  that  vvrere  nearly  all  the  time  to  be 


iiWi 


#■ 


152 


THE     LOST     Til  A  IM-  K  RS  . 


seen,  distinctly  covered  with  snow.  The  country 
was  generally  destitute  of  liinlH-r,  except  here  and 
there  clumps  of  trees,  that  were  a  variety  of  pines. 
Some  cedar  was  also  to  he  seen. 

In  giving  an  account  of  the  ramblings  of  these 
two  trappers  in  this  terra  incognita,  it  is  proper  to 
state  that  they  ceased  to  make  notes  of  the  events 
of  their  travelings.  They  found  it  inconvenient, 
and  it  consumed  time.  Indeed  they  had  not  paper 
nor  the  disposition.  As  they  were  anxious  to  ex- 
tricate themselves  from  those  labyrinths  in  which 
they  had  been  entangled  so  long,  they  thought  but 
little  about  enlightening  the  minds  of  others,  es- 
pecially as  they  thought  it  very  doubtful  whether 
they  would  ever  again  reach  the  abodes  of  civiliza- 
tion. All  the  facts,  therefore,  which  they  were  en- 
abled to  furnish,  connected  with  this  part  of  their 
expedition,  were  drawn  from  memory,  and  although 
interesting,  they  must  constitute  but  a  small  amount 
of  that  kind  of  valuable  information  which  a  jour- 
nal faithfully  kept  would  have  furnished  about  a 
region  and  its  inhabitants,  of  which,  even  yet,  but 
little  is  known. 

They  represent  beaver,  as  they  ascended  this 
river,  as  very  abundant,  frequently  furnishing  their 
principal  food.  As  they  had  no  traps,  they  used 
their  rifles  to  procure  them.  Another  article  of 
food  was  what  is  commonly  called  mountain  mut- 
ton, which  is  very  delicate  and  sweet.  It  is  the 
flesh  of  the  mountain  sheep,  which  is  variously 
called  the  big-horn  by  the  trappers,  the  asahto  by 
the  Mandans,  and  the  argali  and  ibex  by  others. 


I 


'  ■  H.AJlWW-ll' JlMJl- 1  WriiiJB»iW<»W'M-'^Jfey»t»'»W'^*'**Mi*^ 


T II  K     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


153 


he  country 
pt  here  and 
ty  of  pines. 

gH  of  thede 
a  proper  to 
'  the  events 
convenient, 
:1  not  paper 
ioud  to  ex- 
is  in  which 
hought  l)ut 
others,  es- 
ful  whether 
of  civiliza- 
?y  were  en- 
art  of  their 
ud  although 
nail  amount 
hich  ajour- 
ed  ahout  a 
•en  yet,  but 

cenJed  thia 
lishing  their 
9,  they  used 
r  article  of 
intain  mut- 
It  is  the 
is  variously 
!  asahto  by 
c  by  others. 


They  go  in  flocks,  and  generally  frequent  the  cliffs 
of  the  mountains,  and  if  they  are  alarmed  in   the 
valleys,  into  which  they  sometimes  descend,  they 
escape  to  the  highest  precipices,  where  they  in- 
dulge their  curiosity  by  gazing  on  all  below  them. 
They  generally  seek  the  places   among  the  rocks 
that  a^-e  the  most  inaccessible  to  man.      They  are 
said  not  to  be  very  wild,  and  to  fall  far  behind  the 
antelope  in  the  grace,  and  ease,  and  fleetness  with 
which  the  latter  animal  moves  over  the  ground.    A 
little  caution  on  the  part  of  the  hunter  enables  him 
to  get  within  shot  of  it,  when  it  is  on  ground  on 
which  he  can   approach  it.      It  is  called  the  big- 
horn   from   its    horns,  which  are  very  large,  and 
twisted  like  those  of  a  ram.      They  are  very  long 
also,  and  a  gentleman  now  living  in   Missouri   in- 
formed me  that  he  had  seen  them  used  by  the 
Upper  Nez    Pierces  for  the  purpose  of  blowing. 
The  big-horn  has  short  hair  like  a  deer,  and  re- 
sembles it  in  shape,  except  as  to  its  head  and  horns, 
which  resemble  those  of  a  sheep.       It  abounds   in 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  the  sources  of  the  Mis- 
souri and  the  Columbia  to  California.     It  is  of  the 
size  of  a  large  deer,  and  the  horns  of  a  full-grown, 
large    male,  are    frequently    three   feet  six  inches 
long,  and  one  foot  and  three  inches  at  the  base. 
North  of  the  country  ranged  by  the  big-horn  is 
found  the  woolly  sheep,  which  is  sometimes  con- 
founded with  the  big-horn.     It  is,  however,  a  very 
different  animal,  and  in  its  habits  and  appearance 
resembles  the  goat,  and  more  properly  belongs  to 
that  genus.     Its  covering  is  a  growth  of  long  white 


154 


Til  K    i.HST    r  K  A  r  I'  i: RS  , 


wool,  inter.-«|«THCil  willi  long  hair.  Like  a  goat,  it 
has  a  beard,  short  U-yn,  a  tli«i)  belly,  and  is  not 
very  active.  It.s  iiorns,  which  are  from  lour  to  hIx 
inchert  long,  have  a  |)olir»hed  surlace,  and  are  very 
black.  They  are  by  no  ineanrt  very  abundant,  and 
not  much  can  be  said  in  favor  of  tiieir  lU^nh  aa  an 
article  of  diet.  The  trapper.s  n-preaent  the  lleece 
of  this  animal  as  exceedingly  lino,  and  would  be 
very  valuable,  if  it  could  be  procured  in  sufficient, 
quantities.  The  Flat-head  Indians  are  said  to  use 
the  skins  of  tliese  animals  for  purj)oseri  of  clothing. 
The  Hocks  of  the  big-horn  seen  by  Workman  and 
Spencer  increased  as  they  approached  the  head  of 
the  Arkansas,  and  could  be  seen  on  the  brow  of 
mountains,  and  often  standing  on  the  edge  of  very 
high  and  shelving  rocks.  They  seemed  to  enjoy  a 
great  deal  of  security  when  they  had  reached  some 
extreme  height,  and  added  much  to  the  wild  and 
imposing  character  of  mountain  scenery.  When 
they  killed  a  young  one,  which  was  sometimes  the 
case,  they  had  a  lino  repast,  as  its  flesh  was  very 
tender  as  well  as  fat. 

It  was  when  Spencer  was  making  an  ellbrt  to 
shoot  a  "  mountain  mutton"  that  he  sustained  an 
iiyury  in  one  of  his  feet  that  caused  them  to  sus- 
pend their  wanderings  for  two  weeks.  It  was  in 
the  neighborhood,  as  they  believed,  of  the  head 
springs  of  the  river  whose  courses  tl.ey  had  been 
following  so  long  and  so  faithfully.  This  interrup- 
tion caused  them  to  select  a  clump  of  pines,  in 
which  they  fixed  up  a  lodge  on  such  a  plan  as  to 
defend  themselves  with  more  success,  if  they  should 


lanwfwiUJHiiniiiL.iii.i  \«m> iiiiWMt\*mM»9^i>Mt,»'i!MMJnwMm-;-i.''llUfl9m^ 


asps**"" 


H  K     LOST     T  R  A  !■  I'  i;  KN. 


155 


;c  n  goat,  it 
unil  is  not 
II  four  to  nix 
,n<l  are  very 
luiulaiit,  uiid 
'  IU^hIi  as  an 
it  tlic  (k'ec«i 
i(i  would  l)e 
in  sufficirnt. 
u  said  to  line 
of  ciotliing. 
orkiuan  and 
tlie  hoad  of 
the  brow  of 
t'dge  ol'  very 
d  to  enjoy  a 
cached  Bome 
he  wild  and 
lery.  When 
metiines  the 
;sh  was  very 

an  eiibrt  to 
lustaincd  an 
hem  to  Hus- 
It  was  in 
of  the  head 
ey  had  been 
'his  interrup- 
of  pines, in 
a,  plan  aa  to 
f  they  should 


be  molested  by  navages.  lb-re  lliey  whiled  away 
the  slow  revolving  hours  of  twelve  or  tifteen  long 
sun.iner  days,  devising  every  plan  "  to  ki/l  time" 
of  which  they  could  think,  and  which  they  could 
safely  ado|>t.  Every  circumstance  setuned  to  com- 
bine to  make  time  irksome  and  tedious.  They 
were  lost  in  their  own  minds  as  to  their  precise  lo- 
cality. They  had  abandoned  all  hope  of  seeing 
the  country  from  which  they  had  set  out.  They 
were  seeking  safety  from  the  savages  by  betaking 
themselves  to  a  country,  the  inhabitants  of  which 
could  not  boast  of  a  very  great  degree  of  civiliza- 
tion, and  were  at  that  time  not  very  favorably  dis- 
posed towards  our  citizens.  And  then  they  had 
lost  the  trail  of  Pike's  party,  and  inight  not  be  on 
the  right  route,  or  even  any  route,  to  the  Spanish 
country. 

The  sacred  Scriptures  tell  us  that  we  shall  have 
grace  given  us  according  to  our  day  and  trials.  It 
would  seem  that  there  are  /alenl  energies  in  man, 
which  are  wakened  up  whenever,  and  only  when 
their  exercise  is  necessary,  to  raise  us  above  our 
trials  and  hardships,  or  to  enable  us  to  combat  our 
difficulties  with  success.  These  energies  or  capa- 
bilities of  buffeting  difficulties,  in  the  case  of  some 
men,  may  never  be  developed,  because  they  may 
never  be  surrounded  by  circumstances  that  make 
their  exercise  necessary.  We  are  not,  therefore,  to 
suppose  that  they  did  not  exist,  and  that  such  men, 
under  certain  circumstances,  would  not  also  be  pa- 
tient in  enduring  hardships  and  trials,  and  brave  in 
the  hour  of  danger. 


IMMii.. 


156 


THK     LdST    TRAPPERS 


In  the  midst  of  their  pcrpli-xini?  aiHicultiert  those 
men  avow  they  kc^)!  in  Ki)otl  cliier.    Now  and  then 
Workman  killed  some  game,  as  they  needed  it,  and 
it  was  his  daily  business  to  reconnoitre  thr  country 
around,  to  ascertain  whether  there  was  any  thing 
to  be  seen  calculated  to  awaken  apprehensions  of 
danger.     l$y  means  of  nooses  on  the  end  of  long, 
light  poles,  they  caught  sevtirul  birds,  (magpies)  as 
they  thought.     These,  after  croi)ping  one  of  their 
wings  to  prevent  them  from  Hying  oU',  they  would 
throw   into    the    brnnches  of  the   trees,   and   then 
they  would  pructiec-  with  iiows  and  arrows  which 
they  made,  trying  to  bring  them  down   in  Indian 
style.     Whilst   Workman   was  heating  about    on»i 
day  in  the  vicinity  of  their  camp,  he  saw  a  huge 
grizzly  bear,  about  the  fourth  of  a  mile  otf,  jogging 
along  d.)wn  a   small   stream,   and   going   (he  was 
pleased  to  observe)  directly  from  their  camp.    They 
had  had  no  thoughts  about  such  unwelcome  visiters, 
as  they  had  observed  no  signs  of  their  presence  in 
that  neighborhood. 
"      These  men  were  now  in  a  region,  as  they  think, 
that  gives  rise  to  the  Tlatte,  the  Yellow  Stone,  the 
great  south-western  tributary  of  the  Missouri,  the 
Arkansas,  the  Rio  del  Norte,  and  the  Rio  Colorado 
of  California.     Speaking  in  reference  to  this  par- 
ticular region,  Lieutenant  Pike  says  :    "I  have  no 
hesitation  in  saying  that  I  can  take  a  position  in 
the  mountains,  from  whence  I  can  visit  the  source 
of  any  of  these  rivers  in  one  day."     This   asser- 
tion may  be  true,  and  we  do  not  know  that  any 
discoveries  that  have  been  made  prove  it  untrue. 


•iiMai«Afjii!!l«.5iij,ij.ii.»rjiiftug(i.iiijiii;! 


.>j,i.i.iii>p»i;j,'i,'<,@i.iBB»i|J!W'S!H 


I 


T  H  E,  L  O  8  T     T  R  A  !•  !•  V.  R  8 


Hi' 


julticrt  thoHC 
jvv  and  then 
•cdecl  it,  and 
i  tin-  rountry 
iH  any  thing 
•henHions'  ol' 
L-nd  of  lonj,', 
magpiew)  an 
one  of  their 
r,  tliey  would 
•s,   and   then 
irrowH  which 
n   in   Indian 
it  about    one 
Haw  a  hii>?<' 
p  oir,  jogging 
ling   (he  was 
camp.    Tliey 
eonie  virtiterp, 
r  preHcnce  in 

19  they  think, 

ow  Stone,  the 

MiHHOuri,  the 

Uio  Colorado 

;  to  this  par- 

" 1  have  no 

!  a  position  in 

isit  the  source 

This   asscr- 

uow  that  any 

ove  it  untrue. 


There  ia  one  thing,  however,  certainly  true,  and  that 
is,  that  region  to  this  day  remainH,  to  a  great  ex- 
tent, unexplored;  and  the  Htatements  Pike  received, 
and  which  he  seenned  to  credit,  about  some  of  thewe 
rivers,  were  incorrect,  as  suhseijuent  discoveries  will 
show.     "  Hy  the  route  of  the  Arkansas  and  the  Rio 
Colorado  of  California,  I  am  confident,"  says  he, 
"  in    asserting,  (if   niv  information   from   Spanish 
gentlemen  of  intelligence  is  correct),  there  can  be 
established  the  best  communication  on  this  side  of 
the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  between  the  Atlantic  and 
Pacific  oceans  ;  as,  admitting  the  utmost,  the  land 
carriage  would    not   be  more   than   two  hundred 
miles,  and  the  route  may  be  mailt;  quite  as  eligible 
as  our  public  high-ways  over  the  Alleghany  Moun- 
tains.    The   Uio  Colorado  is  to  the  Gulph  of  f;Hli- 
fornia  what  the  Mississippi  is  to  the  Gulph  of  Mex- 
ico, and  is  navigable  for  8hii)s  of  considerable  bur- 
den  opposite  to  the  upper  part  of  Sonora."     Thia 
information,  furnished  Lieutenant  Pike   about  the 
CoU)rado,  or  Ureen  river,  as   it   is  now  sometimes 
called,  has  been  proved,  by  subsequent  discoveries, 
to  b(;  entirely  incorrect.     Itr-  length  is  about  twelve 
hundred  miles,  eight  hundred  of  which  nvr  broken 
into  falls  and  rapids,  so  numerous  and  dangerous 
as  to  defy  navigation  in  any  way  whatever.     From 
one  to  two  hundred  miles  of  its  lower  part  is  in  all 
probability  navigable  for  vessels  ot  the  lar'^ev  class. 
But  more  about  the  Rio  Colorado  in  another  place. 
We  have  said  that  Workman  and  Spencer  gave 
it  as  their  opinion,  that  there  is   a  region,  (in  the 
opinion  of  Pike  of  no  great  extent)  which  constituica 


HMh! 


m^:  THF.     l.nST    TBAPrKRH. 

the  KTcat  fountain  head  of  the  ^rcat  river,  ss'o  men- 
t^ned.     ThiH  region   i.  the   mo.t  remarkahe   u  d 
irheHt  of  the   UocUy  Mountains,  and  ..  a  bed  of 
1  ,L  mountain.,  covered  with  eternal  .nowH       t  . 
2t    be  about  one  hundred  .nile.  long,  and  about 
h        in  breadth,  and  in  now  called  the  W.nd-nver 
moun  ^n..     Although  Workman  and  Spencer  may 
TavT  ^Hlered  about  in  the  .outh  extrem.ty  of  wha 
•now  understood  to  be  the  Wind-river  «u-rra,  yet 
r^hink  the  Arkansas  and  the  llio  Del  Norte  pe  - 
bans  have  their  fountain-heads  lurther  south      It  ih 
now       11  known  that  the  Columbia.  Colorado,  and 
the  main  affluents  to  the  Missouri,  can  be  traced  to 

is  in  the  Wind-river  range,  and  is  probablj  htteen 
housand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  -a      Vanous 
estimates  have  been   made  of  the  height   ol    the 
Rocky  Mountains,  and  it  is  believed  that  when  jus- 
"  ,e  is  done  to  their  real  altitude,  they  will  be  only 
second   to   the   highest  mountains    on   the    globe 
Tneir  height  has  been  diminished  to  the  eye  b>  the 
great  elevations  iVom  which  they  rise      I  hey  con 
Lt,  according  to  Long,  of  ridges,  knobs,  and  peaks 
a rously  disposed.     They  were  called  by  some  oi 
the  first  discoverers,  the  Shining  >.Iounta.ns.  from 
the  fact  that  the  higher    parts  r.re  covered  with 
perpetual  snows,  which  give  th.  m  a  luminous  and 
LlLnt  appearance.     By  the  joint  means  of  the 
ba  ometer  and  trigonometric  measurement,  one  of 
the  peaks   has  been  ascertained  to  be  twenty-hse 


»5gg!.i,^j.^,UIJlJ*JHt*""' 


vercwc  men- 
markublc  and 
d  if*  a  bcil  of 
unows.     It  i« 
ng,  and  about 
he  Wind-river 
d  Spcncrrmay 
Tcniity  of  what 
ivcr  aicrra,  yet 
Del  Norte  per- 
er  south.     It  la 
,  Colorado,  and 
an  be  traced  to 

)cky  MountainB, 
probably  fifteen 
}  Hca.  Varioua 
)  height  of  the 
[  that  when  jus- 
[ley  will  be  only 
on   the   globe. 

0  the  eye  by  the 
rifle.  They  con- 
Luoba,  and  peaks, 
Bile  J  by  Honie  of 
TNIountains,  from 
ire  covered   with 

1  a  luminous  and 
int  means  of  the 
Hurement,  one  of 
to  be  twenty-live 


THE    I,  o  s  T    T  R  A  r  r  k  r  s 


150 


Ihounand  feet,  and  thorn  are  otherH  of  nearly  the 
i^aiiie  height  in  the  vicinity. 

Workman  and  Spencer  relate  a  phenomenon, 
that,  at  llrnt  gave  them  much  anxiety  of  mind,  and 
that  waH  the  reportw  or  ningular  explowions  among 
these  mountains,  renembling  heavy  distant  thunder. 
They  could  be  heard  at  all  times  of  the  day  and  night, 
and  more  particularly  in  clear,  calm  weather.  At 
first  they  had  various  conjectures  about  the  cause. 
They  thought  at  one  time  it  was  distant  thunder, 
and  again  they  supposed  it  to  be  the  report  of  ar- 
tillery. A  third  explanation  was,  that  the  myste- 
rious sounds  were  produced  by  volcanic  irruptions. 
The  existence"  of  this  phenomenon  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  is  mentioned  by  Lewis  and  Clarke,  and 
others  who  have  been  in  those  regions.  It  is  a 
mystery,  which  excites  the  admiration  and  awe  of 
the  various  tribes,  and  some  of  them  regard  it  as 
the  voice  of  the  great  Wacondah,  (Supreme  Being) 
who  holds  his  residence,  as  they  believe,  in  those 
mountains. 

When  Spencer  was  able  to  walk,  the  two  solitary 
trappers,  with  their  rifles  in  their  hands,  struck  out 
for  the  sources  of  the  Del  Xorte,  traveling  a  west 
course.  They  state,  that  the  country  through  which 
they  passed  was  generally  mountainous  prairie, 
abounding  in  fountains  and  lakes  and  vast  beds  of 
enow,  that  are  the  sources  of  those  mighty  rivers, 
east  and  west  of  the  Rocky  Mount  aina.  A  few 
days'  faithful  journeying  brought  them  to  an  eleva- 
tion in  the  mountains,  where  there  was  a  delightful 
spring  of  water,  remarkably  pure  and  cold.     It  ran 


:»liiWIUl!Lj(il(W' 


160 


* 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS, 


«: 


a  west  course;  and  this,  in  their  view,  must  be  the 

source  of  the  Del  Norte.     Now  their  hearts  were 

glad,  as  they  fancied  they  had  struck  a  streara  which 

■would  lead  them  out  of  the  extensive  wilderness  in 

•which  they  had  been  lost  so  long  a  time.     Here  I 

would  remark,  the  subr^equent  history  of  these  two 

wanderers  will  show,  they  were  again  mistaken. 

The  bubbling  fountain  which  they  supposed  to  be 

the  source  of  the  Del  Norte,  was  one  of  the  many 

fountains  of  the  Colorado.     They  followed  a  small 

streamlet,  until  it  swelled  into  a  mighty  river,  that 

dashes  its  waters  against  rocks  and  precipices,  and 

rolls  on  and  widens  and  deepens,  for  more  than  a 

thousand   miles.      When   the    stream  acquired  a 

magnitude   that,    they    thought,   would  justify    it, 

the  went  to  M^ork  with  a  light  axe,  which  tliey  had 

retained,  and  construct!  1  a  .Muall  canoe,  which  they 

hoped,  would   save   then,  many  a  long  and  weary 

tramp,  in  those    Alpme  regions.     Whilst  Spencer 

was  making  this  little  craft.  Workman  consumed  a 

day  in  examining  the  river,  to  ascertain  if  it  was 

navigable.     He  reported  that  he  had  reached  a  very 

high  point  near  the  riv er,  from  which  he  had  a  most 

delightful  view  of  its  banks  and  course  ;  and  that 

its  surface   seemed  to  be  remarkably   placid  and 

free  from   falls.     Its  banks  were  also  very  low  and 

destitute  of  timber. 

This  discovery  seemed  almost,  in  their  minds,  to 
put  an  end  to  their  difficulties.  In  a  few  days 
more  they  would  glide  on  the  beautiful  surface  of 
this  peaceful  river  into  some  of  the  Spanish  settle- 
ments, which  would  be  a  home  to  them  when  com- 


^     i«ll>|lBip(j^)|iiiili|n»  ly  '.i/]ii»,giiiii 


_J 


►V,  must  be  the 
ir  hearts  were 
I  stream  which 
I  wilderness  in 

time.  Here  I 
y  of  these  two 
fain  mistaken, 
upposed  to  be 
ic  of  the  many 
llowed  a  small 
^hty  river,  that 
precipices,  and 
3r  more  than  a 
,m  acquired  a 
>uld  justify  it, 
,vhich  they  had 
loe,  which  thej' 
jng  and  weary 
tVhilst  Spencer 
an  consumed  a 
?rtain  if  it  was 
reached  a  very 

he  had  a  most 
urse  ;  and  that 
)ly  placid  and 
o  very  low  and 

their  minds,  to 
In  a  few  days 
iful  surface  of 
Spanish  settle- 
lem  when  com- 


"  -^f^  ^w»ap»'iw»'*i'i' 


THE     LOST     THAPPERS. 


161 


pared  with  their  present  forlorn  situation.      But 
they  were  doomed  to  more  disappointments.     New 
and  fresh  difliculties  and  mazes  were  before  them. 
When   they  had   procured   a  supply  of  meat  that 
would  last  them  several  days,  and  had  put  it  into 
their  little  boat,  they  committed  themselves  to  the 
current.     They  glided  along  in  fine  style  for  the 
tirst  fifty  miles.     Tla-ough  this  distance  a  beautiful 
undulating  prairie,  without  a  stick  of  timber  for 
many  mile.-?,  stretched  out  from  the  banks  of  the 
river  in  every  direction.   Towards  sun-set,  however, 
the  aspect  of  the  country  before  them  began  to  as- 
sume a  wild,  romantic,  and  forbidding  character. 
A  frowning  mountain  enclosed  their  prospect,  and 
seemed  to  hem  in  the  river.      As  they  approached 
this  unexpected  obstruction,  the  surface  of  the  water 
began  to  be  irregular  and  rough.     They  did  not 
think  it  safe  to  travel  after  night-fall ;   they  there- 
fore pulled  to  shore  to  await  the  disclosures  that 
might  be  furnished  by  the  light  of  another  day. 
The  next  morning  very  early,  with  rifles  in  hand, 
they  left  their  canoe  and  walked  ahead  to  gain 
some   point  from  which  they  might  be  able  to  ex- 
amine the  country  and  the  channel  of  the  river, 
and  learn  something  about  both.      After  several 
hours  of  toil  and  ascent,  they  reached  an  elevation 
where  they  had  a  view  of  the  scenery  before  them, 
that  was  wilder  and  more  imposing  than  anything 
they  had  ever  seen  before.     The  bed  of  the  river, 
which  had  generally  been  from  three  to  four  hun- 
dred yards  in  breadth,  was  now  contracted  to  a 
passage  not  more  than  forty  yards  wide,  and  walled 
14 


\ 

4;' 


m§ 


mtmmmmn 


Mi 


162 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


up  several  hundred  feet  high  by  IremendouH  battle- 
ments of  basaltic  rock.  Through  this  narrow  de- 
file the  river  flowed  almost  with  the  velocity  of  an 
arrow.  Beyond  these  rapids  there  were  evidently 
falls,  as  their  tumultuous  roar  could  be  distinctly 
heard,  and  clouds  of  spray  could  be  seen  suspen- 
ded in  the  air.  For  an  hour  or  two  our  trappers 
remained  seated  upon  the  ground,  gazing  with 
mingled  feelings  of  disappointment  and  astonish- 
ment at  this  magnificent  scene. 

At  one  time  the  roaring  of  the  distant  cataract 
would  rise  and  swell  with  the  breeze  that  bore  the 
lulling  sound  to  their  cars.  Again,  as  the  gentle 
gale  would  sink,  the  tumult  of  angry  waters  would 
for  a  while  die  away  in  the  distance.  The  feel- 
ing of  disappointment,  for  a  time,  was  lost  in  those 
of  wonder  and  awe,  and  the  trappers  seemed  to 
forget  their  situation,  as  they  mused  upon  the  pic- 
turesqueness  and  romance  of  this  exhibition  of 
nature.  Seeing  satisfactorily  that  quick  destruc- 
tion awaited  them  if  they  should  attempt  to  pass 
the  narrow  defile,  they  returned  to  their  camp  to 
get  a  few  articles  they  had  left  in  their  canoe,  as 
well  as  some  provisions.  But  when  they  came  in 
view  of  the  place  where  they  had  left  their  canoe 
'  they  saw  three  savages  in  it,  and  in  the  act  of  push- 
ing it  from  shore.  The  trappers  made  signs  to 
them,  which  seemed  only  to  frighten  them,  and  to 
cause  them  to  make  the  greater  effort  to  cross  the 
river.  Understanding  how  to  manage  such  a  water 
craft,  they  soon  reached  the  opposite  shore.  As 
they  now  felt  secure,  they  paused  on  the  bank  to 


'!-'»-'.'''."g;* 


\'%i.^t'lf^m!f^»li'f'-^wy^vmu.'m!ttMft'J! 


lulouH  battle- 
narrow  de- 
elocity  of  an 
iTc  evidentlv 
be  distinctly 
icen  Kuspcn- 
our  trappers 
gazing  with 
,nd  astonish- 

tant  cataract 
that  bore  the 
s  the  gentle 
vaterH  would 
.  The  feel- 
lost  in  those 
rs  seemed  to 
ipon  the  pic- 
ixhibition  of 
uick  destruc- 
mpt  to  pass 
leir  camp  to 
eir  canoe,  as 
they  came  in 
t  their  canoe 
3  act  of  push- 
ade  signs  to 
them,  and  to 
t  to  cross  the 
such  a  water 
3  shore.  As 
the  bank  to 


.innjMMHrfy    ,<ffw» 


1 


TH  K     I.  OST     TR  A  PP.''   "S  . 


163 


gaze  with  curiosity  and  surprise  at  the  two  men, 
when  Workman  raised  his  ritle  and  tired  it  towards 
tlif^m.  The  report  of  his  gun  and  the  sight  of  the 
tire  struck  a  panic  among  them,  that  caused  them 
to  break  and  run.  The  trappers  were  particularly 
concerned  about  their  axe,  which  they  supposed 
was  in  the  canoe,  and  was  of  course  taken  away  ; 
but  fortunately  they  had  lett  it  on  the  land,  and  it 
had  not  been  seen  by  the  savages.  Wlio  these 
savages  were,  and  how  savage  they  were,  the  trap- 
pers were  entirely  ignorant,  as  they  could  not  be 
brought  to  a  parley.  Their  bodies  were  nearly 
naked,  and  they  presented  a  most  degraded  appear- 
ance. They  belonged,  perhaps,  to  a  tribe  of  "  les 
dignes  de  pitic;'  (objects  of  pity),  as  such  Indians 
are  sometimea  called,  who  constitute  a  mere  link 
between  human  nature  and  the  brute. 

Workman  and  Spencer  now  resumed  their  jour- 
neyings  over  land,  aiming  to  follow  he  river  as 
near  as  they  could.  When  they  had  passed  the 
narrow  passage,  the  Colorado  expanded  again  to 
its  usual  breadth,  and  poured  over  falls  about  forty 
feet  high.  The  river  in  the  falls  was  full  of  large 
rock,  many  of  which  projected  above  the  surface 
of  the  water.  Against  these  the  waters  of  this 
great  river  dashed,  and  rebounded,  and  boiled  up, 
until  the  whole  surface  seemed  to  be  in  a  perfect 
rage.  After  spending  the  day  in  clambering  the 
sides  of  very  rough  mountains,  and  winding  round 
and  round  to  avoid  obstructions  and  to  find  ground 
on  which  they  could  travel,  they  succeeded  in 
getting   below  the  falls,  where   the   river   again 


i 


164 


THE     LOST    TRAPPERS 


I 


assumed  a  tranquil  and  placid  surface,  and  a  beau- 
tiful and  delightful  prairie  country  came  to  the  very 
banks.     These  men  would  have  made  another  ca- 
noe and  tried  it  again,  but  there  was  no  suitable 
timber,  and  they  thought  it  the  better  policy  to  as- 
certain something  more  about  the  navigation,  be- 
fore they  should  again  commit  themselves  to  its 
uncertain  current.    They  therefore  followed  it  from 
day  to  day,  as  near  as  they  could  get  to  its  banks, 
until  they  were  satisfied  that   it  was  filled  with 
rapids,  and  rocks,  and  other  obstructions,  that  not 
only  rendered  the  navigation  unsafe,  but  utterly 
impossible.     Necessity,  therefore,  reconciled  them 
to  the  toil  of  traveling  on  foot.     They  kept  near 
the  river,  resolved  to  follow  it,  let  it  take  them  where 
it  might.     The  country  was  sometimes  very  broken 
and  mountainous,  and  very  often  they  would   have 
to  turn  back  and  retrace  their  steps,  and  make  a 
circuit  of  several    miles   to  find   a  way    through 
which  they  could   pass.     They  frequently  passed 
places  where  for  several  miles  the  banks  rose  up 
into  precipices  of  an  awful  height,  from  the  tops  of 
which  they  sometimes  took  a  view  of  the  river  be- 
low, as  it  whirled,  and  dashed  about,  and  foamed, 
and  struck  the  basaltic  rock,  impatient,  furious  and 
'    wild.      These  men  give  it  as  their  opinion  that  the 
scenery  of  the  Rio  Colorado  is  equal,  perhaps,  to 
that  of  any  other  part  of  North  America.      Their 
statements  are  very  applicable  to  the  Snake  river 
scenery,  which  is  also  represented  as  being  wild 
and  grand  beyond  description.     Indeed  it  may  be 
noticed  as  a  characteristic  of  the  rivers  west  of  the 


tt  |i  II  iijiji|i|p>|]ipiif^i,iwj(jjj4.ii,i||»ni.- 


'.Ai»J.my'^"  ^ 


,  and  a  beau- 
le  to  the  very 
3  another  ca- 
i  no  suitable 
policy  to  aa- 
ivigation,  be- 
selves  to  its 
lowed  it  from 
to  its  banks, 
IS  filled  with 
ions,  that  not 
3,  but  utterly 
jonciled  them 
ley  kept  near 
;e  them  where 
8  very  broken 
r  would   have 
I,  and  make  a 
way    through 
iiently  passed 
anks  rose  up 
m  the  tops  of 
'  the  river  be- 
;,  and  foamed. 
It,  furious  and 
linion  that  the 
al,  perhaps,  to 
erica.      Their 
ic  Snake  river 
as  being  wild 
eed  it  may  be 
jrs  west  of  the 


'■WM.^PWU^H 


THE     LOST     T  R  A  1'  1'  K  R  S  . 


165 


Rocky  Mountains,  that  they  are  marked  by  a  wild 
majesty,  produced  by  the  frequent  recurrence  of  rocks 
and  rapids,  that  place  them  in  striking  contrast 
to  the  smoothness  and  placidity  of  the  streams  east 
of  said  mountains.  This  distinction  in  favor  of  the 
eastern  rivers  will  operate  against  the  navigation 
of  the  western  waters,  and,  of  course,  against  the 
interests  of  the  country  through  which  they  pass,  if 
those  countries  should  ever  be  settled  by  a  civilized 
people. 

Having  descended  this  river  for  several  hundred 
miles,  still  believing  it  to  be  the  Rio  del  Norte,  and 
wondering  why  they  had  not  reached  Santa  Fe, 
they  came  to  a  place  which  seemed  to  have  been 
much  used  as  a  crossing.  There  were  a  great  many 
signs  of  horses  and  mules,  but  they  were  old,  and 
all  pointing  an  east  course.  Indeed  the  signs  were 
so  numerous  that  Workman  and  Spencer  conjec- 
tured there  must  have  been  several  thousand. 
Without  the  least  hesitation  the  trappers  resolved 
to  follow  this  great  trail,  and  to  take  the  way  the 
signs  indicated  the  last  caravan  had  gone.  They 
felt  confident  that  this  trail  had  been  made  by  the 
Spaniards,  and  not  by  Indians.  They  traveled  it  two 
days,  when  they  met  a  caravan  of  Spaniards  (forty 
or  fifty)  on  the  trail,  but  going  an  opposite  direc- 
tion. They  at  first  entertained  fears  they  were  In- 
dians, but  when  they  found  out  they  were  Span- 
iards, their  joy  was  too  great  to  be  described.  Nei- 
ther of  the  trappers  could  speak  the  Spanish 
language,  but  there  was  an  Englishman  in  the 
caravan,  and  one  or  two   Spaniards  who  could 


i 


<.^ 


\  .. 


■t  sir 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS 


apeak  the  English  language  with  some  fluency. 
They  therefore  found  no  difficulty  in  communica- 
ting to  the  company  what  had  been  their  history  in 
the  mountains,  and  the  fact  that  they  were  now 
seeking  security  in  their  country. 

The  caravan  then  selected  a  suitable  place  for 
encampment,  for  the   purpose  of  adopting  some 
pla.i  for  the  protection  of  the  two  men  who  had 
thrown  themselves  upon  their  mercy,  for  these  Span- 
iards were,  by  no  means,  insensible  as  to  their  situa- 
tion.    Until  midnight  they  listened  with  thrilling 
interest  to  the  details,  as  the  trappers  gave  them, 
of  their  trials  and  hardships  since  they  had  left  the 
United    States.      They    informed  Workman    and 
Spencer  that  the  river  which  they  had  descended 
was  the  Rio  Colorado,  and  that  they  were  about 
five  hundred  miles  from  Santa  Fe.    In  passing  over 
that  distance  they  had  met  with  a  good  deal  of 
trouble  from  the  Indians,  and  they  gave  it  as  their 
opinion,   that   the   two   trappers   could    not  pass 
through  to  Santa  Fe  without  being  cut  off  by  the 
savages. 

The  caravan  was  going  towards  Puebla  de  los 
Angelos,  a  town  in  Upper  California,  near  the 
coast  of  the  Pacific,  in  which  region  of  country 
they  expected  to  be  engaged  in  trading  until  the 
following  spring,  when  they  expected  to  return  to 
Santa  Fe  with  horses  and  mules.  Part  of  the 
company  were  men  who  lived  in  Upper  California, 
but  they  had  accompanied  a  caravan  the  last 
'  spring  to  Santa  Fe,  and  were  now  returning  home. 
Workman  and  Spencer  determined  to  join  the  com- 


?y.'S*-v- 


T 


II  ijummiii wiiW»'i1'J  'W  '■  I" " 


THE     L08T      TRAPPERS. 


167 


jme  fluency. 
communica- 
eir  history  in 
y  were  now 

t)le  place  for 
opting  some 
len  who  had 
ir  these  Span- 
to  their  situa- 
ivith  thrilling 
a  gave  them, 
f  had  left  the 
orkman  and 
ad  descended 
f  were  about 
passing  over 
good  deal  of 
,ve  it  as  their 
lid  not  pass 
;ut  off  by  the 

Puebla  de  los 
nia,  near  the 
)n  of  country 
ling  until  the 
d  to  return  to 
Part  of  the 
per  California, 
ivan  the  last 
turning  home. 
•  join  the  com- 


pany and  go  to  California,  where  they  would  spend 
the  approaching  winter,  and  in  the  spring  return 
with  them  to  New  Mexico,  whence  they  hoped 
some  opportunity  would  present  itself  of  getting 
back  to  the  United  States.  They  were  therefore 
regularly  taken  into  the  service  of  the  company, 
which  was  under  the  direction  of  a  captain,  and 
furnished  with  mules  and  such  articles  as  they 
needed. 

The  company  next  morning  set  out,  and  were 
about  twenty  days'  travel  from  San  Gabriel,  on  the 
Bay  of  San  Pedro.  In  passing  over  this  distance 
a  great  deal  of  the  road  was  very  rocky  and  rough. 
The  season  was  dry  (a  circumstance,  by  no  means 
unusual  in  that  country),  and  the  company  had 
often  to  perform  long  and  toilsome  journies  before 
they  could  reach  water.  In  one  or  two  cases  the  dis- 
tance from  one  watering  place  to  another  was  not 
less  than  one  hundred  miles,  and  very  often  from 
thirty  to  fifty.  The  surface  of  the  country  was  often, 
too,  a  bed  of  sand,  which  furnished  nothing  to  sus- 
tain their  mules.  It  will  therefore  be  seen  that 
there  are  through  this  country  regular  jornadas  (as 
the  Spaniards  call  them)  and  stages  where  grass 
and  water  can  be  had  for  caravans,  whilst  the  coun- 
try intervening  is  almost  as  desolate  as  the  Sahara 
of  Africa.  By  making  these  regular  jornadas  or  day's 
journey  and  reaching  those  regular  stages,  cara- 
vans are  able  to  make  their  way  through  from  Cali- 
fornia to  Santa  Fe.  If  a  caravan  breaks  this 
regular  chain  of  stages,  their  toils  and  sufferings 
arc  often   very  severe.     These  caravans  are  often 


Hi 

m 


m 


m 


168 


THE     LOST     T  R  A  P  I'  K  R  S 


very  great,  numbering  sometimes  several  thousand 
horses  and  mules,  which  sweep  away  all  the  grass 
near  their  route,  and  leave  the  earth  very  bare.     As 
they  journeyed  along,  Workman  and  Spencer  ob- 
served the   bones   ol'  animals  scattered  about  in 
great  profusion  in  some  places,  and  upon  asking  for 
an  explanation,  they  were  informed  that  they  were 
the  bones  of  horses  and  mules,  that  were  lost  by 
cai-avans  from  a  disease  very  common  in  that  region 
called  the  "  foot  evil,"  which  sometimes  causes  the 
loss  of  whole  bands  of  horses  and  mules.     It  scemrf 
to  be  aggravated,  if  not  really  created  by  travcliug 
over  hot-sandy    plains    and   deserts,  and  sullering 
from  want  of  water.     After  crossing  the  Colorado 
and  traveling  north-west  several  days,  the  company 
turned  and  traveled  a  south-west  course  until  they 
reached  the  Spanish  towns  on  the  Pacific.     On  the 
right  of  their  route,  very  high  mountains  were  all 
the  time  visible,  the  peaks   of  which  were  white 
with  snow.     This   range   of  mountains,  (no  doubt 
what    is   now   called    the  Wahsatch    Mountains) 
seemed  to  be  infested  with  predatory  bands  of  In- 
dians, whose  regular  business  was   to   beset   the 
route  of  these  caravans  for  the  purpose  of  plunder. 
As  this  company  passed,  they  could  bo  frequently 
jeen  on  the  tops  of  the  mountains,  peering  over  the 
plains,  and  reconnoitering  their  movements.     We 
would  briefly  state,  that  our  two  trappers  spent  the 
winter  of  1809   in  Upper  California,  which  time 
Workman  spent  in  examining  the  country  and  trav- 
.^ling  from  place  to  place  to  gather  all  the  informa- 
tior  he  could  of  a  country,  about  which  ow  citizens 


!iii!^';"T';j.g<t>i,'!g"?i 


5f3r 


T  II  K     LOST     T  R  A  P  r  K  R  N  . 


160 


eral thousand 
'  all  the  grass 
ery  bare.     As 
I  Spencer  ob- 
ered  about  in 
pen  asking  for 
hat  they  were 
were  lost  by 
in  that  region 
nes  causes  the 
lies.     It  seems 
d  by  traveling 
,  and  sullering 
;  the  Colorado 
i,  the  company 
ursc  until  they 
icific.     On  the 
I  tains  were  all 
2h  were  white 
lins,  (no  doubt 
;h    Mountains) 
ry  bands  of  In- 
I   to   beset   the 
ose  of  plunder. 
1  bo  frequently 
eering  over  the 
vements.     We 
ppers  spent  the 
ia,  which  time 
luntry  and  trav- 
ail the  informa- 
lich  our  citizens 


at  that  time  knew  but  litlh;  or  nothing.  Ah  it  is 
our  object  in  another  part  of  this  volume,  to  give  a 
dhort,  but  we  hope  a  faithful  account  of  California, 
it  u  our  intention  to  interweave  all  the  statements 
of  Workman  in  that  account.  We  will,  therefore, 
suspend  for  the  pre.scMit,  iiis  descriptions  of  Califor- 
nia, that  they  may  appear  in  a  more  proper  place, 
and  we  will  ask  the  rtiader  to  go  with  us  to  Santa 
Fe,  where  in  the  summer  of  1810,  we  find  our  two 
mountaineers  and  trappers  safely  landed,  with  a 
large  caravan  of  mules  and  horses,  both  in  fine 
health  and  good  cheer. 


15 


i 


li 


;i' 


If* 


m 


r 


B|ii«i«»  ( ^  m»i-ni>— y<i^w»«»— ^W^i^i^^Hil 


i  l» 


ClIAl'TKll    XV. 

The  two  tmpinTii  try  their  hick  iii  H«nta  Fe  for  «overal  yp»r»— Manta  Ke 
Imdo  oixiiH— An  opiiorlmiity  to  return  to  the  Suites— An  <»«ort  sent  hy 
the  CJovrrni.r  of  Kunia  Ke— l';.|,i.iin  ViHCiirn.':.  drraiMul  lurM  with  the 
Cuinamhes  on  the  Seniironi — ISevcral  MM  on  l.oth  sides — T\\r  noc- 
turnul  traui|.  r\yTvm  to  Cuplain  Riley  on  tin;  Arkiinsiis— MyslerioUB 
horse  iind  tlLuHands  of  niVHleries— A  liold  iittempt,  result  amusing. 

Workman  ami  Sprnct-r  Vjftinj^  rm-ii  without  Itiini- 
lies  in  the  Statrs,  and  bfinK  i\n\vi\  ihii.s  fur  in  tlicir 
efforts  to  luaUe  lurtiini's,  rc-oivt-d  to  try  their  luck 
in  Santa  Fe,  as  gold  and  silver  st'itncd  to  he  verv 
abundant.     Tliey,  tlierefore,  took  uj)  their  abode  at 
the  seat  of  government  (Santa  Fe)  \\  ilh  tht^  purpose 
ofremainini:  thert   lor  several  years,  if  tiieir  suecess 
should  justify  it,  and  when  they  liad  auias.sed  a  suf- 
ficiency of  the  precious  metals,  they  thought  ol'  re- 
turning to  the  United  States,  if  a  safe  opportunity 
should  i)rcsent  itst  it,     This  shows  how  men  hecome 
weaned  from    the  habitudes  of  civilized  and  culti- 
vated society,  and  are  so  charmed  with  the  wild 
adventure  connected  with  savage  life,  that  they  are 
seldoiii  satisfied,  unless  they  are  braving  the  toils 
and  difficulties  of  the  wilderness,  and  realising  all  the 
excitement  belonging  to  such  a  life.    Workman  and 
Spencer  remained  in  and  about  Santa  Fe,  for  fifteen 
years,  and  had  abandoned  all  thought  of  regaining 

(170) 


SC=r: 


T II  K    r,  ()  s  T    r  II  A  I'  r  i;  n  h 


171 


prnl  ypiirs — Santa  Fe 
es — An  i-«'ort  sent  t>y 
Ircadl'ul  lu'it  wilti  llio 
liuth  siilen — 'I'll''  "IH-- 
Ukiinww— .Mji>l«rioiii» 
pt,  riiult  nmiiHini;. 

1  without  t'aini- 
lliuri  fur  ill  tlicii- 
U)  try  tlu'ir  \uck 
•tried  to  hi'  vcrv 
|)  tln'ir  abode  at 
\  ith  the  i)urpor<e 
i,if  tlirir  suioi'sd 
1  uiiiasscd  a  .■<ui'- 
y  thought  of  rc!- 
atV  opportunity 
o\v  iru'U  bocoint! 
ilizcd  and  cuiti- 
1  with  the  wild 
iff,  that  they  are 
raving  the  toiU 
Ireahsingall  the 
Workman  and 
ita  Fe,  for  fifteen 
ght  of  regaining 


the  phice  of  tlieir  nativity.  Ihit  tlie  Santa  Fe  trade 
WHH  opened  up,  and  hirge  companies  evtMy  spring 
croH«ed  the  phiiuH  from  Missouri  to  New  iMexlco, 
with  goods  which  they  exchanged  at  a  great  profit  for 
gohl  and  silver.  One  of  the  (list  of  these  lnrg«'  coiii- 
panieH  was  under  the  direction  of  Captain  Means, 
who  with  part  of  his  men  were  kiHed  by  the  Caman- 
ches,  whilst  the  others  bartdy  escaped  with  their 
lives,  leaving  everything  tiny  had,  to  be  carried  o/f 
by  these  ruthless  savages.  In  eonsequenee  of  this 
disaster,  the  General  Clovernmcnt  sent  a  company 
headed  by  Captain  Riley,  to  escort  the  next  trading 
expedition,  the  following  spring,  over  all  the  dan- 
gerous grmnd  to  the  Hig  Arkansas,  where  Captain 
Jtiley  was  ordered  to  remain  until  a  specified  time, 
awaiting  the  return  of  the  trading  company  to  con- 
duct them  back  to  the  States.  This  company  reached 
Santa  PV  in  safety,  and  after  disposing  of  their 
goods  in  that  mart,  turned  their  faces  towards  the 
States.  They  were  fortunate  enough  to  meet  with 
an  opportnnity  to  go  under  the  protection  of  the 
Spanish  government,  a  circumstance  that  waa 
brought  about  in  this  way.  Some  half  a  dozen  of 
wealthy  Spaniards  residing  in  Santa  Fe  had  been 
found  guilty  of  some  ('reasonable  designs  against 
that  government,  and  had  the  privilege  of  leaving 
the  country  in  so  many  days,  or  being  hung.  I'hey 
of  course  preferred  the  former  kind  of  punishment 
and  determined  to  go  with  their  families  and  fortunes 
to  the  States.  The  governor  of  .Santa  Fe,  therefore, 
ordered  a  Captain  Vi'^carro  with  sixty  men,  ten  of 
whom  were    brave   Purbulo    Indians,  living  near   -^ 


T 


172 


TIIR     t.OST    rn  M'l'KRS 


Suntii  Fr,  to  conduct  tlic-"'  cxiIch  and  the  company 
until  they  Hhould  meet  Captain  Uil»'V  on  the  Uig 
ArkanHUH,  from  which  point  he  \\  mh  to  return  to  New 
Mexico.  Workman  and  Spencer,  when  they  saw 
this  very  wafe  opportunity  ol'  getting  back  to  the 
States,  felt  the  love  of  their  native  land,  vvhi'-h  had 
been  almonl  extinct,  revive,  in  their  heartw,  and  they 
determined  to  join    the  party  on  their  homeward 

route. 

They  had  been   (|uito   succenHful  whilst  in  New 
Mexico  in  advancing  their  fortunes,  and  now  they 
would  make  an  ellbrt  to  return  to  renew  tlieir  ac- 
quaintance with  thone  whom  they  once  knew,  but 
from  whose  memory   all  recollection  of  them  had 
now  perhap.H   parsed    away,  as  of   thone  long  ago 
dead    and    gone.      At    that    time,     a    trip    from 
Santa  Fe  was  very   dangerous,   and   the  savages 
had  been  very  successful  in    frightening  the  mules 
of  caravans,  and  causing  them  to  break  loose  and 
run  ofl".     But  the  company  got  along  very  smoothly 
until  they  were  within  sixty  miles  of  the  Arkansas. 
When  near  the  Semirone  river,  and  just  when 
the  company  were  driving  up  to  a  spring  art)imd 
which  they  intended  to  encamp  that  night,  a  large 
party  of  Indians  on  foot,  perhap-4  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  emerged  from  a  covert,  and    arrayed    them- 
selves on  open  ground,  in   a  right  line  facing  the 
traders.     "What  tribe  are  they?"  was  a  question 
that  was  quickly    asked,  and   as  quickly  passed 
around  the  camp.     "  Camanche,"  was  the  answer 
frora  one  who  knew.     And  that  was  enough,  for 
the  company  knew  what  they  were  to  expect.     In 


taiJ^MO^Mi  Jt^tttW^ril*-^  '^H  m-  '^lt«lrtN«Hl.lM'ln>ld«^  -lO 


J 


the  company 
y  on  tht!  Uig 
••turn  to  New 
10  n  they  saw 
back  to  the 
(I,  vvhi'-li  had 
irtH,  aiiil  thoy 
ir  honu'ward 

hilst  in  New 
md  now  they 
new  tlieir  ac- 
ice  knew,  but 

of  them  had 
one  long  ago 

a  trip  from 
the  pavttgesi 
lin^  the  mulea 
!ak  looHC  and 
very  nmoothly 
the  Arkansas. 
,nd  just  when 
spring   around 

night,  a  large 
i  hundred  and 
irrayed  theni- 
ne  facing  the 
ras  a  question 
[uickly  passed 
as  the  answer 
18  enough,  for 
to  expect.     In 


T  II  R     I.  n  H  T     T  R  A  I'  1'  K  R  8  . 


m 


the  Camanehe  Indian  is  embodied  every  trait  of  a 
savag*',  wliose  hand  is  raised  against  every  man, 
and  who  is  even  more  blood-thirsty  than  the  gangs 
of  hungry  wolves  that  roam  over  those  extensive 
plains.  They  made  known  their  hostile  feelings, 
and  challenged  the  traders  by  brandishing  and 
Houriohing  their  arms,  and  acting  the  mad  buffalo, 
which  consists  in  gathering  the  dust  in  one  hand 
and  then  in  the  other,  and  throwing  it  into  the  air, 
after  the  nuinner  of  that  aninuil  when  he  is  pro- 
voking one  of  his  peers  to  combat.  So  menacing 
was  their  aspect,  that  the  traders  hesitated  as  to 
holding  a  parley  with  them,  and  indeed  few,  if  any, 
were  willing  to  undertake  it. 

Finally,  one  of  the  company  went  out,  and  was 
met  half  way  by  one  of  the  Camanches,  with  arms 
in  one  hand  and  his  cross  in  the  other.  But  they 
had  scarcely  met  before  two  other  Camanches 
broke  the  line  and  dashed  up  to  the  party.  This 
movement  being  not  understood  by  the  traders, 
two  of  them,  Barnes  and  Wallace,  ran  up  to  protect 
their  man,  if  it  should  be  necessary.  A  momentary 
and  fearful  pause  ensued.  The  parties  stood  for 
the.  half  of  a  minute  in  perfect  silence,  keenly  eye- 
in/r  each  other,  with  their  fingers  upon  the  triggers 
.  J  ti  >ir  guns.  The  savages  seemed  eager  to  begin 
tiii  ..'ork,  and  but  for  one  circumstance  the  com- 
uatHMts,  the  next  moment,  would  have  been  thrown 
iif'<  dreadful  conflict.  That  circumstance  was  this. 
"  :,«  ten  Purbuloes  who,  under  the  Spanish  captain, 
V  iscarro,  were  accompanying  the  traders  to  Big 
Ailtnnsas  river,  and  who  had  gone  out  on  a  hunt 


»     "! 


174 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


that  afternoon,  were  at  that  time  near  at  hand 
upon  a  ridge,  skinning  and  cutting  up  a  buffalo 
which  they  had  killed.  They  had  a  full  and  fair 
view  of  all  that  was  taking  place  below  them,  and 
abruptly  leaving  the  carcass  of  the  buffalo,  they 
raised  a  dreadful  war-shout,  and  came  bounding 
down  the  hill,  and  charging  and  pitching  like  mad 
horses,  and  rushed  up  into  the  very  faces  of  the 
Camanches. 

The  sudden  and  unexpected  sight  of  these  braves 
perfectly  electrified  the  Camanches  ;  not  that  they 
dreaded  ten  Purbuloes,  but  becaune  they  conjectured 
that  a  party  (perhaps  large)  of  that  war-like  tribe 
were  concealed  behind  the  adjacent  ridge.  One  of 
the  Purbuloes,  a  game  youth  about  sixteen,  obser- 
ving  a  very  gaudy  pair  of  socks  under  the  belt  of  a 
Camanche,  laid  violent  hands  upon  them,  and  by 
way  of  pay  gave  the  owner  of  them  a  tremendous 
kick  in  the  posteriors,  that  nearly  lifted  him  off  the 
ground.  The  insult  was  received  by  the  crest- 
fallen Camanche  without  resistance. 

Balked  in  their  designs  by  the  circumstance  just 
mentioned,  the  Camanches  began  to  make  profes- 
sions of  friendship,  iu  which  some  of  the  traders 
were  foolish  enough  to  confide.  Indeed  the  whole 
company,  with  a  few  honorable  exceptions,  were 
overawed  by  the  savage  appearance  and  disposition 
>f  the  Camanches.  This  the  Purbuloes  perceived 
vith  surprise  and  great  indignation.  They  assured 
their  party  that  the  Camanches  intended  to  attack 
them,  and  that  their  only  alternative  was  to  fight. 
The  Spaniards  under   Captain  Viscarro  excused 


I 


THE     I-  O  S  T      r  U  A  P  I'  E  R  8  . 


175 


!ar  at  hand 
p  a  buffalo 
uU  and  fair 
IV  them,  and 
mffalo,  they 
le  bounding 
ng  like  mad 
faces  of  the 

these  braves 
ot  that  they 
r  conjectured 
^ar-like  tribe 
ge.  One  of 
xteen,  obser- 
the  belt  of  a 
hem,  and  by 
I  tremendous 
i  him  off  the 
y  the   crest- 

mstance  just 
make  profes- 
r  the  traders 
ed  the  whole 
sptions,  were 
id  disposition 
)es  perceived 
They  assured 
Jed  to  attack 
was  to  fight, 
arro  excused 


themselves  by  stating  that  they  had  recently  en- 
tered into  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  Camanches, 
and  did  not  wish  to  violate  their  faith.     The  Pur- 
buloes  knew  this  was  only  an  excuse,  and  there- 
fore  charged   them  with   cowardice.      They   told 
Captain  Viscarro  that  they  would  no  longer  submit 
to  him  as  an  officer,  for  he  had  not  the  bravery  of 
a   squaw.      Becoming   furious,   they   threw    their 
shields  upon  the  ground,  by  way  of  appeal  to  the 
courage  of  the   company,  and   proclaimed,  them- 
selves ready  to  fight  without  any  thing  to  defend 
them  against  the  darts  of  the  enemy.    All  this,  how- 
ever, had   no  effect  upon  their  quailing,  faltering 
spirits.      They  did  not  intend  to  strike  the  first 
blow,  let  the  provocation  be  any  thing  short  of  a 
real  attack.     This  was  discovered  by  the  Caman- 
ches, and  prompted  them  to  come  nearer  the  com- 
pany, and  to  be  more  impudent.     In  fact,  in  their 
reprehensible  timidity,  the  company  had  permitted 
the  daring  Camanches  to  mix  among  them  to  some 
extent.     The  Purbuloes  kept  their  eyes  constantly 
upon  them,  and  only  grew  the  more  impatient,  as 
they  observed  that  the  Camanches  were  waiting  for 
a  favorable  opportunity  to  make  an  assault.     One 
of  them,  a  tall,  stalwart  and  distinguished  warrior, 
perceiving  something  among  the  enemy  very  sus- 
picious, sprang  to  his  feet  and  seemed  to  look  wild. 
Seizing  a  moment  when  the  eyes  of  thf  company 
were  generally  turned  away  from  them,  the  Caman- 
ches fired,  and  in  a  kind  of  headlong  hurry  ran 
across  a  creek  that  was  near  the  camp  to  reload. 
The  worst  predictions  of  the  heroic  Purbuloes  were 


m^ 


176 


THE     LOST    TRAPPERS. 


realized.  Four  of  their  greatest  warriors  fell  dead, 
and  a  number  of  the  tame  and  spiritless  Spaniards. 
A  great  uproar  now  prevailed.  Some  flew  to  their 
frightened  mules,  to  prevent  them  from  breaking 
loose,  some  flew  to  their  arms,  and  some,  there  ia 
reason  to  believe,  flew  to  the  wagons  for  safety. 
As  the  Camanches  crossed  the  creek,  one  of  their 
number  received  a  ball  from  the  rifle  of  Workman, 
who  pulled  the  savage  to  the  ground  by  his  long 
hair  and  passed  on.  Although  mortally  wounded, 
and  unable  to  get  upon  his  feet,  the  indomitable 
Camanche,  as  he  lay  upon  the  ground,  reloaded  his 
gun,  and  as  one  of  Captain  Viscarro's  sergeants 
rode  up  with  sword  in  hand  to  dispatch  him,  shot 
him  between  the  eyes.  The  Spaniard  instantly 
fell  lifeless  from  his  horse.  The  six  surviving  Pur- 
buloes,  deeply  mortified  at  the  miserable  manage- 
ment of  the  company,  would  not  join  in  the  flght, 
but  remained  near  their  dead  brothers,  chagrined, 
disgusted,  and  tilled  with  sullen  rage.  The  Caman- 
ehes  had  but  two  or  three  rounds  of  balls  and  pow- 
der, which  they  speedily  used,  and  then  betook 
themselves  to  flight.  Sixteen  of  the  traders  fol- 
lowed them.  But  a  few  of  them,  however,  had  the 
presence  of  mind  to  get  their  horses,  and  they 
found  that  the  Indians  could  outleg  them. 

Away  they  went  on  toot,  and  on  horseback,  and 
shooting  as  they  went.  Among  those  in  the  chase 
was  a  Spaniard  on  horseback,  but  he  had  no  arms 
and  he  did  not  appear  to  desire  any ;  his  aim  and 
business  being  to  rob  the  slain  and  to  get  the  spoils. 
He  had  collected  a  sufficient  number  of  bowa,  and 


lu^^pxminM.^ 


THE     LOST    TRAPPERS. 


177 


ors  fell  dead, 
ss  Spaniards. 

flew  to  their 
om  breaking 
ome,  there  is 
s  for  safety. 
,  one  of  their 
of  Workman, 
1  by  his  long 
ily  wounded, 
i  indomitable 
,  reloaded  his 
o's  sergeants 
tch  him,  shot 
ird  instantly 
urviving  Pur- 
able  manage- 
1  in  the  fight, 
rs,  chagrined, 

The  Caman- 
illa  and  pow- 

then  betook 
!  traders  fol- 
ever,  had  the 
es,  and  they 
lem. 

srseback,  and 
!  in  the  chase 

had  no  arms 

his  aim  and 
;et  the  spoiLs. 
oi'  bows,  and 


arrows,  and  buffalo  robe.^,  and  blankets,  and  trinkets 
and  trumpery  of  all  sorts,  to  completely  cover  and 
conceal  the  horse  and  his  rider.     Barnes  and  Wal- 
lace, (old  Wallace  as  he  was  called)  of  whose  bra- 
very we  have  sufficient  proofs,  of  course  were  in  the 
number.     The  former  was  well  mounted.   Wallace 
was  in  his  glory,  but  he  was  on  foot,  and  an  old 
man  in  the  bargain.     He  applied  to  the  Spaniard 
for  the  use  of  his  steed  :  but  the  Spaniard  thought 
too  much  of  his  plunder,  to  part  with  the  means  of 
conveying   it  to   the  camp.      Barnes   thought  the 
emergency  would  justify  Wallace  in  taking  the 
horse,  vi  et  armis.     The  suggestion  was   scarcely 
made  before  it  was  carried  into  effect.    In  a  moment 
the  venal  Spaniard  came  heels  over  head,  upon  the 
ground,  with  his  bows  and  arrows,  and  dry  buffalo 
skins,  and  trinkets  and  trumpery  of  all  sorts  rattling 
around  his  ears,  and  in  a  moment  Wallace  was  on 
his  horse  and  away.     As  the  affair  began  between 
sunset  and  dark,  nightfall  soon  came  on,  and  all  the 
pursuers  turned  back  to  the  camp,  but  Wallace  and 
Barnes.     They  held  on  until  nine  or  ten  o'clock, 
shooting  and  pursuing,  and  pursuing  and  shooting ; 
until  their  guns  became  so  hot  by  frequent  firing, 
and  so  dirty,  they  were  compelled  to  desist.     The 
moon  shone  as  bright  as  day,  and  an  open  and  ex- 
tensive plain  spread  around.     Barnes  and  Wallace 
thought,  they  followed  the  Indians  for  seven  or  eight 
miles,  and  they  stated  that  they  retreated  all  that 
distance,  in  a  right  line,  nor  was  there  at  any  time 
any  confusion,  or  breaking  of  ranks.     They  farther 
reported,  that  they  saw  at  some  distance  off,  what 


««■■ 


178 


•r  II  E     1-  ( »  ST     T  R  A  1'  P  E  R  S  . 


they  believed  to  be  another  party  of  Indians,  that 
seemed  to  be  very  large.  On  the  part  of  the  Ca- 
manchcs  this  was  a  very  unsuccessful  adventure, 
and  dearly  did  they  pay  for  their  impudence.  They 
were  most  sadly  drubbed,  and  lost  many  of  their 
greatest  warriors,  as  was  ascertained  the  follow- 
ing year. 

The    night   passed,  not,  however,  with  its  usual 
rest  and  repose.     The  company  had  a  sample  of 
Indian  fighting,  Indian  treachery  and  Indian  cruelty, 
which  was  by  no  means  calculated  to  invite  sleep. 
They  were  at  that  time  in  a   country  infested  by 
hordes  of  savages  of  the  most  ferocious  character ; 
who  would  perhaps  dog  them  for  hundreds  of  miles. 
They  had  just  had  a  fight  with  a  party  of  them,  and 
other  parties,  perhaps    very    large,    were    in    the 
neighborhood.     The  company  of  men,  sent  by  the 
governor  of  Santa  Fe  under  Capt.  Viscarro,  to  pro- 
tect them  to  the  Big  Arkansas,  had  proved  timid  and 
cowardly  in  the  affray,  that  had  taken  place.  They 
therefore  could  not  safely  depend  upon  them  for  aid 
in  a  difficulty.     Captain  Riley  by  this  time  had  in 
all  probability  left  Big  Arkansas    and  turned  his 
forces  towards  the  United  States.     They  had  many 
and  stronj,'  reasons  to  fear,  that  they  would  be  un- 
protected throughout  the  whole   of  the  dangerous 
route,  that  lay  before   them.     The  next  day  they 
expected   the    Camanches  to  return  with  renewed 
and  multiplied  forces,  to  slay  and  rob.    Under  these 
circumstances,  and  with  these  gloomy  prospects  and 
feelings,  the  light  of  the  next  day  dawned  upon  them. 
After  the  fight  on  the  previous  evening,  two  of  the 


THE      L  O  S  r     TRAPPERS 


179 


Indians,  that 
irt  of  the  Ca- 
ul iith'^enture, 
dencc.  They 
lany  of  their 
i  the   follow- 

vith  its  usual 
a  sample  of 
ndiati  cruelty, 
>  invite  sleep. 
ry  infested  by 
us  character ; 
Ireds  of  miles. 
y  of  them,  and 
were    in    the 
n,  sent  by  the 
scarro,  to  pro- 
ived  timid  and 
11  place.  They 
n  them  for  aid 
is  time  had  in 
nd  turned  his 
hey  had  many 
■  would  be  un- 
the  dangerous 
next  day  they 
with  renewed 
I.    Under  these 
'  prospects  and 
led  upon  them, 
ing,  two  of  the 


Camanches  that  wore  badly  wounded,  were  seen 
scrambling  along  on  the  ground  to  a  ledge  of 
rocks,  in  which  they  hid  themselves  during  the 
night.  The  Purbuloes  being  apprised  of  the  fact, 
hurried  to  the  spot  and  found  them.  One  of  them 
was  dead.  The  other  was  living,  and  the  partial 
opportunity  to  sate  their  thirst  for  blood  was  em- 
braced with  savage  greediness.  He  was  dragged 
out  by  the  infuriated  Purbuloes,  and  cut  to  pieces. 
Their  scalps  of  course  were  taken.  As  these  crown 
their  original  owners,  they  crown  and  complete  the 
victories  of  those  who  take  them.  But  the  dead 
were  to  be  buried,  this  morning,  and  the  company 
had  to  prepare  for  the  anticipated  difficulties  of  the 
day ;  and  these  they  were  afraid  would  be  many 
and  trying. 

Every  arrangement  would  be  made  to  meet  them. 
Accordingly,  after  an  early,  and  we  may  conjecture  a 
hurried  breakfast,  graves  were  dug,  and  the  slain 
were  put  in  the  ground  as  decently  as  circumstan- 
ces would  admit.  In  the  meanwhile  the  mules  and 
horses  were  permit! <d  to  fill  themselves  with  grass, 
and  then  brought  within  a  circular  fortification 
made  of  the  waggons  and  baggage.  Their  arms 
were  put  in  a  state  of  readiness,  and  sentinels 
were  placed  out  on  elevated  points,  to  reconnoitre 
the  surrounding  country,  and  to  report  every  thing 
that  appeared  above  the  verge  of  the  horizon.  The 
day  passed,  however,  and,  contrary  to  their  calcula- 
tions, they  saw  no  Indians,  but  the  slain  that  lay 
here  and  there,  who,  as  they  were  now  objects  of 
no  great  terror,  were  still  less,  in J;he  estimation  of 


1 1 '? 


lira 

m 


...MMMMMN 


t   ^1 
It 


I    s 


jMi  THE    LOST    TRAFPEKS. 

the  company,  entitled  to  the  rite  of  sepulture,  but 
were  doomed  to  lie  on  their  native  plains,  to  feed 
the  hungry  wolf  attracted  that  way  by  the  scent 
of  their  putrescent  bodies.  Although  they  had 
not  been  molested  that  day,  still  the  company 
knew  that  they  were  on  very  dangerous  ground, 
as  large  bands  of  hostile  Indians  were  believed 
to  be  hovering  about  their  route,  seeking  a  suit- 
able opportunity  to  make  an  attack.  It  was 
about  sixty  miles  from  Big  Arkansas,  where  it  was 
hoped  Captain  Riley  might  still  be,  awaiting  their 
return,  although  it  was  a  week  past  the  time  to 
which  he  was  limited,  and  when  he  had  expected 
to  set  out  on  his  return  to  the  United  States. 

As  the  distance  could  be  rode  on  good  horsen  in 
a  night,  it  was  proposed  to  send  an  express  to 
Captain  Riley,  (if  he  should  still  be  there),  to  ap- 
prise him  of  their  exposed  situation,  and  to  request 
him  to  wait  until  they  should  come  up.  But  who 
would  undertake  it?  If  the  company  were  in 
danger,  the  express  would  certainly  be  much 
more  so. 

The  route  lay  through  the  most  dangerous  part 
of  the  country,  between  Santa  Fe  and  Indepen- 
dence. The  moon  was  full  and  shone  very  bright, 
but  if  this  circumstance  would  facilitate  the  under- 
taking, it  would  at  the  same  time  expose  the  party 
to  the  danger  of  being  more  easily  discovered  by 
Indians.  The  wealthy  Spanish  exiles,  who  seemed 
to  be  very  much  alarmed,  offered  large  rewards  in 
gold  and  silver  to  any  party  that  would  undertaWe 
to  carry  an  express  to  the  Arkansas  that  night. 


sepulture,  but 
plains,  to  feed 

by  the  scent 
ugh  they  had 
the  company 
ferous  ground, 
were  believed 
eeking  a  suit- 
ack.  It  was 
1,  where  it  was 
awaiting  their 
it  the  time  to 

had  expected 
1  States, 
good  horsen  in 
an  express  to 
3  there),  to  ap- 
and  to  request 
:  up.  But  who 
ipany  were  in 
inly    be    much 

langerous  part 
and  Indepen- 
ine  very  bright, 
tate  the  under- 
cpose  the  party 
;  discovered  by 
es,  who  seemed 
rge  rewards  in 
ould  undertaV^e 
sas  that  night. 


MMiM'm>i*!»i.<iin.ii 


iii«;iwiiiMniini^;>  1.  II 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS 


181 


The  danger  was  great,  it  was  true,  but  the  reward 
was  too  tempting  to  be  withstood.  Remember, 
reader,  it  was  gdd  and  silver,  and  every  one  knows 
what  gold  and  silver  has  done  and  can  do.  A 
small  party  agreed  to  go,  and,  mounting  their 
horses,  set  out. 

But  in  less  than  an  hour  they  came  back  at  the 
top  of  their  speed,  dreadfully  frightened,  and  sta- 
ting that  they  had  seen  a  great  many  Indians. 
"  Where  did  you  see  them  ?  what  number  did  you 
see  ?  what  were  they  doing  ?  were  they  encamped 
or  moving  ?"  These  questions  and  many  others 
were  put  to  them,  first  by  one  and  then  by  another. 
But  as  the  answers  returned  were  not  very  satis- 
factory, and  the  statements  of  the  party  somewhat 
conflicting,  the  company  doubted  whether  they  had 
seen  any  Indians  at  all.  They  finally  said  they 
thought  they  had  seen  Indians.  The  wealthy  Span- 
iards increased  the  reward,  and  another  party  set 
out.  But  they  returned  also  in  a  short  time,  fright- 
ened half  to  death  and  telling  the  same  story.  They, 
too,  gave  the  company  reason  to  believe  that  the 
Indians  seen  were  only  imaginary. 

This  second  failure  aroused  the  game  spirits  of 
Wallace  and  Barnes,  and  as  they  had  no  time  to 
lose,  they  told  the  company  that  if  they  were  fur- 
nished with  the  best  men  and  best  horses  belonging 
to  the  expedition,  they  would  undertake  it.  The 
proposition  was  immediately  accepted.  The  selec- 
tion of  men  was  easily  and  soon  made.  The  rich 
exiles  furnished  the  horses,  as  their  animals  were 
very  superior.     Wallace,  Workman,  Barnes,  the 


kn 


""mmmmmm 


182 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


>  t 


six  Purbuloea,  and  seven  others,  constituted  the 
band  tbat  were  not  to  be  so  easily  deterred.  They 
took  a  full  supply  of  arms,  leaped  into  their  sad- 
dles, which  they  had  girted  very  tight  upon  their 
horses,  and  put  off.  Away  they  went,  silently  and 
swiftly  careering  over  the  plains,  and  keeping  a 
most  vigilant  look-out  in  every  direction.  The 
moon  shone  with  a  brightness  inferior  only  to  the 
light  of  a  vertical  sun.  The  deep  and  sepulchral 
silence  that  prevailed  was  sometimes  broken  by  the 
shrill  neighing  of  the  elk,  And  by  the  howling  of 
hungry,  saucy  gangs  of  wolves,  that  sometimes 
whipped  across  their  route.  They  had  traveled 
more  than  half  the  distance  before  they  saw  any 
thing  that  was  calculated  to  excite  apprehensions  of 
danger,  or  to  interrupt  their  nocturnal  tramp.  As 
they  were  approaching  the  edge  of  a  bluff  that 
overlooked  an  extensive  plain,  a  horse  came  up  the 
bluff  towards  them,  and  when  he  noticed  the  party 
neighed,  and  seemed  to  be  perfectly  tame.  Here 
was  a  mysterious  circumstance,  a  mysterious  horse, 
to  be  understood  before  they  could  venture  any 
further  in  safety.  "  How  came  he  there  ?"  As  he 
was  tame,  he  must  belong  to  some  Indian  encamp- 
ment, that  might  be  very  near.  After  holaing  a 
consultation  and  interchanging  opinions  for  a  few 
minutes,  it  was  determined  to  secretly  reconnoitre 
the  plain  that  lay  beneath  the  bluff,  particularly  as 
the  mysterious  horse  came  from  that  direction. 
Wallace,  (Colonel  Wallace  I  will  call  him,  for  he 
ought  to  have  been  a  colonel),  who  was  always 
the  first  to  dash  into  danger,  and  upon  dangerous 


mm.M 


mmmm 


IRS. 

!,  constituted  the 
f  deterred.  They 
id  into  their  sad- 
tight  upon  their 
ivent,  silently  and 
s,  and  keeping  a 
direction.  The 
iferior  only  to  the 
ip  and  sepulchral 
nes  broken  by  the 
y  the  howling  of 
,  that  sometimes 
hey  had  traveled 
jre  they  saw  any 
apprehensions  of 
urnal  tramp.  As 
fj  of  a  bluff  that 
dorse  came  up  the 
noticed  the  party 
ictly  tame.  Here 
mysterious  horse, 
)uld  venture  any 
B  there  ?"  Aa  he 
e  Indian  encamp- 
After  holaing  a 
)pinions  for  a  few 
cretly  reconnoitre 
iff,  particularly  as 
m  that  direction. 
1  call  him,  for  he 
who  was  always 
I  upon  dangerous 


THE     I,  O  8  T     T  R  A  1"  !■  K  R  .S  . 


lii 


ground,  gave  the  reins  of  his  horse  to  Barnes,  and 
crept  along  to  the  edge  of  the  bluff. 

After  making  a  thorough  examination,  he  re- 
turned cautiously  to  his  party,  reporting  that  the 
plain  tliat  lay  beneath  the  bluff  was  covered  with 
thousands  and  thousands  of  animals,  that  might  be 
Indians  and  Indian  horses,  but  he  saw  no  fires  ;  a 
circumstance,  however,  that  he  said  did  not  s'gnify 
any  thing,  as  Indians  always  put  out  their  fires  after 
eating,  or  leave  them  and  go  somewhere  else  to 
encamp.  Barnes,  who  was  always  the  right  hand 
man  of  Colonel  Wallace,  next  crept  up  to  the  edge 
of  the  bluff,  and  after  making  a  careful  examination 
returned,  stating  the  same  thing,  that  the  plain 
below  was  covered  with  thousands  and  thousands, 
of  something,  but  he  could  not  say  what  it  meant. 
Workman  then  went,  and  after  an  absence  of  a 
few  minutes  returned,  reporting  the  same  thing,  to 
wit,  that  th(.usand8  and  thousands  of  animals  cov- 
ered the  plain,  which  he  took  to  be  Indians  and  In- 
dian horses.  The  six  Purbulo  braves  must  next 
go  and  see  for  themselves,  and  satisfy  their  curios- 
ity. After  prying  and  peeping  most  cautiously, 
for  some  time,  over  the  bluff,  they  brought  back 
the  same  account,  that  animals  lay  by  thousands 
and  thousands  over  the  plain,  which  they  conjec- 
tured were  Indians. 

"  Well,  under  the  circumstances,  what  are  we  to 
do?"  was  the  problem,  the  solution  l  ?  which  was 
not  very  easy.  The  present  party  were  prompted 
not  so  much  by  the  prospect  of  a  great  reward  in 
gold  and  silver,  as  by  a  nobler  impulse,  that  made 


■i 


II  »^' 


T 


184 


T II  K     LOST    TRAPPERS, 


them  insenHible  to  danger,  and  raiHed  them  nupe- 
rlor  to  it.  They  determined  to  dash  through  any 
and  all  obntructions  that  might  be  in  their  route,  or 
sacrifice  their  lives  in  the  attempt.  To  turn  back, 
therefore,  waH  not  to  be  recognized  by  them  at  any 
time,  as  a  way  of  avoiding  or  getting  rid  of  a  dilH- 
culty.  A  free  interchange  of  views  and  notions 
resulted  in  that  of  adopting  the  following  purpose 
artd  plan.  They  resolved  to  s^urprise  and  route  the 
mysterious  things,  though  they  might  prove  to  be 
thousands  and  thousands  of  Indiana  and  Indian 
horses.  To  effect  this  they  were  to  go  down  to  the 
plain  and  approach  the  encampment,  or  whatever 
it  might  be,  as  secretly  and  as  silently  as  possible, 
the  six  Purbuloes  going  before.  Their  aim  would 
be  to  strike  a  panic  among  the  horses  of  the  Indi- 
ans by  a  general  yell,  and  frighten  them  off.  "And 
what  can  an  Indian  do  on  foot,"  said  they,  with 
feelings  of  anticipated  triumph.  Accordingly,  every 
one  adjusted  his  saddle  and  arms,  and  down  they 
went,  creeping  along  in  breathless  silence,  the  Pur- 
buloes  leading  the  way.  When  they  were  sufri- 
ciently  near,  they  raised  a  tremendous  shout,  and 
dashed  ahead.  In  a  moment  the  whole  plain  was 
alive  and  moving.  The  mystery  was  solved.  Thou- 
sands and  thousands  of  wild  buffalo  and  wild  horses 
darkened  the  plain,  and  fled  in  headlong  confusion. 
This  vast  assemblage  of  wild  animals  was  easily 
explained.  The  season  was  very  dry,  and  they 
had  come  and  congregated  there  for  water.  The 
mysterious  horse  had  saddle  marks  on  him,  and 
was  really  tame.     He  was  most  probably  a  stray 


I 


s . 

!cd  them  HUpe- 
sh  through  any 
1  their  route,  or 

To  turn  back, 
y)y  them  at  any 
ig  rid  of  a  difH- 
VH  and  notions 
lowing  purpose 
e  and  route  the 
ht  prove  to  be 
mij  and  Indian 
go  down  to  the 
nt,  or  whatever 
itly  as  possible, 
'heir  aim  would 
iva  of  the  Indi- 
them  off.  "And 
said  they,  with 
cordingly,  every 

and  down  they 
iilencCj  the  Pur- 
they  were  sufri- 
[lous  shout,  and 
thole  plain  was 
)  solved.  Thou- 
and  wild  horses 
ilong  confusion, 
nals  was  easily 
f  dry,  and  they 
or  water.  The 
ks  on  him,  and 
)robably  a  stray 


f 


Til  i:     l.nST      I  R  A  V  V  K  K  S  , 


185 


from  some  Indian  (•iiiiiiii|)mriit,  jx  iliapn  not  far  off. 
The  hradioiig  and  ooiitiiiiu'd  ruuiiiiij,'  ol  llit-  Imlialo 
and  horsf.s  cnutcd  a  npiihlin;,'  sound  that  was  luiinl 
for  mom  than  an  hour,  and  rcHi-iubicd  ilistant  and 
prolonged  thunder.  The  party  then,  in  fmv.  cheer, 
pushed  on,  and  without  any  thing  to  interrupt  their 
course,  arrived  at  iUr.  liig  Arkansas  the  next  day 
some  time  in  the  aflcruooii,  at  the  place  where 
Captain  Riley  hud  encami)ed.  But  he  was  not 
there. 

They  knew,  however,  from  fresh  signs,  particu- 
larly the  remains  of  huU'alo  killed  but  a  few  hours, 
that  he  had  been  there  the  previous  night,  and  fol- 
lowing on,  they  overtook  him  the  same  day.  Cap- 
tain Kiley,  after  hearing  of  the  expo.-<ed  condition  of 
the  expedition,  resolved  to  await  their  arrival. 

The  company  followed  the  express  the  next  day, 
and  traveled  very  hard,  to  get  away  from  a  country 
so  full  of  danger.  For  two  days  the  Turbuloes 
kept  up  a  constant  howling  and  lamenting,  that 
was  very  annoying  to  the  company.  On  the  third 
day  they  ceased  their  wai lings,  wiped  away  their 
tears,  and  were  in  fine  cheer.  Two  days'  travel 
brought  the  company  up  to  Captain  Riley.  Captain 
Viflcarro  here  turned  his  face  back  to  NeM'  Mexico, 
whilst  the  company  going  to  the  States  continued 
their  journey  under  the  protection  of  Captain  Riley's 
forces,  and  safely  reached  Independence. 


**• 


IG 


J^-. 


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m 


'i  :  ![ 

ill 


CIIAPTEll   XVI. 


People  of  Ciilifornia^PricHtM — MiHsioimry  oHtaliliHiimentd — Aniusenipnti 
—Bull  anJ   bear  flKlitti — ImmcriHC  iiuiiiIht  of  horiicii  and  cattle. 

We  have  already  waid  that  Workman  and  Spen- 
cer remained  about  six  months  in  Upper  CaUtbrnia, 
during  which  time  Workman  was  generally  en- 
gaged in  traveling  about,  collecting  inrormation  by 
personal  observation,  concerning  the  climate,  luce 
of  the  country,  and  its  productions,  and  th<!  cuHtoms 
of  the  people  who  inhabit  that  country.  We  also 
promised  the  reader,  that  we  would  give  him  a 
short  account  of  that  country,  aa  furnished  by  Work- 
man, which  we  believe  to  be  strictly  true,  because 
it  harmonizes  exactly  with  the  accounts  of  several 
other  gentlemen  who  have  been  there,  and  who  are 
regarded  as  incapable  of  intentionally  misrepresent- 
ing anything. 

That  country  is  divided  into  Upper  and  Lower 
California.  Lower  California  is  a  peninsula  about 
seven  hundred  miles  in  length  and  about  sixty  wide^ 
with  tlie  Pacific  on  one  side,  and  the  Vermillion  sea, 
(or  as  now  called,  the  Gulph  of  California)  on  the 
other.  A  part  of  Lower  California  is  in  the  torrid 
zone,  and  the  climate  must  therefore  be  very  hot. 
A  great  deal  of  this  peninsula  consists  of  sandy 

(186) 


f 


m  II     n-«i  wii 


Bnt» — AniusenipnU 
8Cii  and  cattlp. 

mi  and  Spi-n- 
»er  California, 
generally  cn- 
ilbruiHtion  by 
climate,  face 
d  the  cuHtoms 
;ry.  We  also 
I  give  him  a 
ihed  by  Work- 
true,  because 
nU  of  several 
1,  and  who  are 
misrepresent- 

8r  and  Lower 
ninsula  about 
ut  sixty  wide^ 
ermillion  sea, 
fornia)  on  the 
8  in  the  torrid 
!  be  very  hot. 
iists  of  sandy 


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Til  K      1,  (J  S  T     TR  A  I'l'  K  RS  . 


187 


sterile  plains  and  mountainH,  that  give  to  it  an  as- 
pect, that  iri  raiher  stern  than  inviting.  Frequently 
lor  many  miles  deserts  of  hot  sand  spread  in  every 
direction,  on  the  face  of  which  not  a  single  sign  of 
vegetable  life  can  be  seen.  And  then  again  the 
face  of  the  country  swells  into  barren  mountains, 
that  an  equally  as  destitute  of  any  kind  of  vegeta- 
tion. In  some  parts  of  Lower  California,  however, 
there  are  valleys  of  great  fertility,  in  which  are  to 
be  found  all  the  productions  of  the  tropics,  such  as 
olives,  oranges,  dates,  figs,  citrons,  pomegranates, 
sugar  cane  and  indigo. 

This  part  of  California  was  settled  in  1678  by 
the  Jesuits,  an  order  of  the  Romish  church,  who,  it 
seems,  were  successful  in  gaining  the  aflections  of 
the  natives,  and  acquired  a  powerful  and  extensive 
influence  over  their  minds.  A  number  of  mission- 
ary establishments  were  built  in  different  parts  of 
Lower  California,  to  which  the  natives  gathered 
from  different  portions  of  the  country  to  be  initiated 
in  the  principles  of  the  Catholic  faith.  It  cannot 
be  denied,  that  the  efforts  of  these  Jesuit  fathers  ef- 
fected a  complete  change  in  the  habitudes  and  cus- 
toms of  these  savages,  and  they  succeeded  in  per- 
suading them  to  abandon  their  barbarous  practices, 
and  to  adopt,  lo  some  extent,  the  arts  and  habits  of 
civilized  life.  But  the  Spanish  government,  fearing 
the  growth  of  the  power  and  influence  of  the  Jesuits, 
^.  caused  them  to  be  banished  from  the  country.  The 
Jesuits  were  succeeded  by  the  Franciscans,  and  the 
Franciscans  by  the  Dominicans.  After  the  expul- 
sion of  the  Jesuits,  to  whom  the  natives  were  affec- 


fTitt] 


IS§ 


T  II  !■;   M)ST    r  11  A  r  i'  i'R« 


'!» 


tionatcly  devotod,  the  aspect  of  the  various  missions 
became  worse  and  worse,  and  now  all  of  the  mis- 
sionary establishments  are  in  ruins,  except  one  that 
continues  a  nionutnent  of  the  f(»rmer  power  and 
prosperity  of  the  order.  This  establishment  is  sit- 
uated in  a  beautiful  valley,  and  was  once  the  resi- 
dence of  the  principal  of  the  Jesuits  in  that  country. 
Although  a  monument  of  the  strength  of  a  very 
powerful  order,  it  is  now  a^■  -ilent  as  the  grave,  nor 
is  there  a  human  being  living  at  this  time  witliin 
thirty  miles  of  the  place.  The  edifice  is  of  hewn 
stone,  one  story  high,  two  hundred  and  ten  feet  in 
front  and  about  fifty-five  feet  deep.  The  walls  are 
six  feet  thick  and  sixteen  feet  high,  with  a  vaulted 
roof  of  stoae,  about  two  feet  and  a  half  in  thickness. 
There  is  but  little  in  Lower  California  to  invite 
immigration.  The  greater  part  of  it  is  traversed 
by  barren  mountains  and  sandy  plains,  that  make  a 
very  unfavorable  impression  upon  the  minds  of 
those  who  visit  that  region.  A  few  settlements  of 
whites  have  been  attempted,  but  they  have  nearly 
all  failed.  The  population  of  the  peninsula  is  sup- 
posed to  be  about  1"2,000.  This  includes  savages, 
converted  Indians  and  whites.  So  much  for  Lower 
California. 

We  come  now  to  Upper  California,  the  hunter's 
elysium,  the  tramontane  paradise,  and  land  of 
milk  and  honey,  to  which  so  many  thousands  and 
thousands  are  now  turning  their  eyes,  as  their  fu- 
ture home,  and  which,  by  the  way,  constitutes  a  ne 
plus  ultra,  beyond  which  the  restless,  roving  emi- 
grant can  not  go. 


J 


T  II  i;      l.nST     T  R  A  I'  I'  K  RS  . 


180 


[•"ious  missiona 
11  of  the  mirt- 
xcept  one  that 
or  power  and 
ishment  is  Kit- 
once  the  reai- 
1  that  country, 
igtli  of  a  very 
the  grave,  nor 
liri  time  witliin 
ice  id  of  hewn 
and  ten  feet  in 
The  wallfl  are 
with  a  vaulted 
If  in  thickness, 
•rnia  to  invite 
it  is  traversed 
3.  that  make  a 
the  minds  of 
setthsmenta  of 
?.y  have  neorly 
ninsula  is  sup- 
;ludes  savages, 
luch  for  Lower 

a,  the  hunter's 
and  land  of 
thousands  and 
es,  as  their  fu- 
onstitutes  a  ne 
88,  roving  emi- 


Workiuan  rt-presents  tlie  Spaniards  as  a  people 
who  devote   the   greater   portion  of  tlieir  tinie  to 
sporting,  and  various  kinds  of  amu.scments.      Tliis 
is   owing   to   the   lact   that   very  little   exertion   is 
necessary  to  secure  a  competency  of  food  and  rai- 
ment.     The  peculiarity  with  which  he  was  very 
much  struck  was  their  superior  horsemanship,  and 
their  equestrian  exorcises,  in  which  they  are  con- 
stantly engaged.     The  vast  number  of  horses,  both 
wild  and  tame,  in  California,  makes  every  one  a 
cavalier,  who  is,  nearly  always,  in  the  saddle,  and 
there  is   no  country,  perhaps,  in  the  world,  where 
there  are  better  riders.     They  commence  this  kind 
of  exercise  when  they  are  very  small,  and  many  of 
their  children    are   killed ;    and  when   they  have 
strength  to  manage  a  horse,  it  is  no  uncommon 
thing  for  them  to  noose  a  horse  perfectly  wild,  and 
then  mount  him  in  the  open  jjrairie  and  let  him  go. 
The  frightened  animal  darts  off  with  great  and 
desperate  speed,  rearing  and  plunging  to  rid  him- 
self of  his  terror,  until  he  worries  himself  down  by 
his  violent  exertions,  and  submits  to  the  govern- 
ment of  his  rider.     It  is  remarkable  that  the  wildest 
horse,  sometimes  in  two  hours,  will  become  per- 
fectly   passive    and    tractable.       A    boy    ten    or 
twelve   years  old  is  generally  a  good  horseman, 
and  it  is  difficult  to  get  him  to  do  any  thing  on 
foot,  and  any  Californian  would  think  less  hard  of 
riding  one  hundred  miles  than  he  would  of  walking 
four  hours  on  foot.     They  do  the  most  of  their  la- 
bor on  horse-back,  such  as  taking  care  of  cattle 
and  horses,  and  catching  wild  cattle  and  horses 


!  '1^ 


MP 


190 


THE     LOST     T  K  A  P  f  i;  K  S  . 


IJ 


t      *: 


* 

f 

1 

'ih- 

•\".- 

( 

1 

1 

with  the  lasso.     On  horseback,  with  the  lanso,  they 
noo«e  bear,  and  it  is  very  common  to  draw  their 
wood  to  the.    houses  by  means  of  this  cord,  which 
they,  without  dismounting,  will  throw  around  the 
end  of  a  log.     The  California  horses  are  of  a  hardy 
nature,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  inhuman  manner  in 
which  they  are  generally  treated  by  the  natives. 
If  a  man  has  to  travel  from  thirty  to  forty  miles 
from  his  residence,  he  saddles  his  horse  and  mounts 
him  ;  on  his  arrival  at  his  place  of  destination,  he 
ties  him  to  a  post.     He  may,  in  some  cases,  give 
him  a  drink  of  water,  and  should  he  remain  away 
from  home  four  or  five  days,  his  horse  gets  nothing 
but  water,  without  food  all  that  time  ;  and  if  he  is 
a  horse  of  the  middling  class  of  California  horses, 
he  will  travel  those  thirty  or  forty  miles  back  again, 
with  the  same  free  gait  at  which  he  started  on  a 
full  belly  and  in  good  condition.     Of  course  this  is 
only  in  summer  season,  when  the  grass  has  sub- 
stance and  the  horse  is  in  good  order.     It  is  cus- 
tomary with  the  Indians,  as  well  as  the  Caliform- 
ans,  when  they  wish  to  perform  a  long,  hard,  and 
perhaps  a  dangerous  ride,  to  tie  up  their  horses  for 
several  davs,  and  give  them  nothing  to  eat.    When 
a  horse  is  equipped  for  a  journey  in  that  country-, 
he  generally  carries,  besides  his  rider,  a  weight  ot 
from  Hfly  to  sixty  pounds  of  saddle-gear,  and  should 
the  weather  be  rainy,  and  the  saddle  get  wet,  the 
weight  is  doubled.     It  requires  two   large  tanned 
ox  hides  to  fit  out  a  California  saddle  ;   add  to  this 
a  pail  of  wooden  stirrups  three  inches  thick,  the 
aaddle-tree,  heavy  iron  rings  and  buckles,  with  a 

^  -nil 


„»^'*"''^''^  *i«wy 


Til  K     LOST      T  K  A  V  I'  K  R  S  . 


191 


the  lasso,  they 

to  draw  their 
[lis  cord,  which 
)W  around  the 

are  of  a  hardy 
nan  manner  in 
by  the  natives. 
'  to  forty  miles 
rse  and  mounts 

destination,  he 
ome  cases,  give  ^ 

le  remain  away 
rse  gets  nothing 
le  ;  and  if  he  is 
ilifornia  horses, 
liles  back  again, 
ic  started  on  a 
)f  course  this  is 

grass  has  sub- 
jrder.     It  is  cus- 
19  the  Californi- 
1  long,  hard,  and 
;)  their  horses  for 
ig  to  eat.    When 
,'  in  that  country, 
ider,  a  weight  of 
-gear,  and  should 
Idle  get  wet,  the 
,vo   large  tanned  ^^ 
Idle ;   add  to  this 
inches  thick,  the 
I  buckles,  with  a 


]);iir  of  .-jpurs  wcij,'liiii}j;  from  four  to  six  pounds,  a 
|)uir  of  ^'oat  skins  laid  across  the  pommel  of  the 
saddle,  with  large  pockets  in  tiiem  which  reach  bo- 
low  the  stirrups,  and  a  pair  of  heavy  holsters,  with 
the  largest  kind  of  horse  pistols.  Notwithstanding 
this  burden,  their  horses  are  active,  and  travel  very 
freely. 

In  California  the  inhabitants  are  not  only  said  to 
be  almost  born  on  horse-back,  but  to  be  almost 
married  in  the  saddle.  Workman's  statements  cor- 
respond with  those  furnished  by  one  now  living  in 
that  country  about  the  maniage  ceremonies.  When 
the  marriage  contract  is  agreed  on  by  the  parties, 
the  first  business  and  care  of  the  bride-groom  is  to 
get,  by  buying,  begging,  or  even  stealing,  (if  neces- 
sary), the  best  horse  that  can  be  found  in  his  dis- 
trict ;  and  at  the  same  time,  by  some  of  t\w  above 
means,  he  must  get  a  saddle,  with  silver  mountings 
about  the  bridle ;  and  the  over  leathers  of  the  sad- 
dle must  be  embroidered.  It  matters  not  how  i)oor 
the  parties  may  be,  the  articles  above  mentioned 
are  indispensable  to  the  wedding. 

The  saddle  the  woman  rides  has  a  kind  of  leath- 
ern apron,  which  hangs  over  the  horse's  rump,  and 
completely  covers  his  hinder  parts  as  far  as  halfway 
down  the  legs  ;  this,  likewise,  to  be  complete,  must 
be  embroidered  with  silks  of  diflerent  colors,  and 
gold  and  silver  thread.  From  the  lower  part  up- 
0  wards  it  opens  in  six  or  eight  places,  each  of  which 
is  furnished  with  a  number  of  small  pieces  of  cop- 
per or  iron,  so  as  to  make  a  noise  like  so  many 
cracked   bells.      One  of  these  leathern  coverings 


,, 


192 


T  II  K     LOST     TIIAI'I'KRS 


will  sometinu's  iiuvt:  iK.t  Icris  than  llu'ce  hundred 
of  these  .small  jingles  hanging  to  it. 

The  bridegroom  must  also  iurnish  the  bride  with 
not  less  than  six  mlicles  of  each  kind  of  women's 
clothing,  and  buy  up  every  thing  necessary  to  feast 
his  friends  for  one,  two,  or  three  days,  as  the  incli- 
nation of  the  attendants  may  dictate.  The  day  for 
the  celebration  of  the  wedding  being  come,  the  two 
fine  horses  are  saddled,  and  the  bridegroom  takes 
up  before  him,  on  the  horse  he  rides,  his  future  god- 
mother, and  the  future  god-father  takes  before  him 
on  his  horse  the  bride,  and  away  they  gallop  to 
church.  I  say  gcd/op,  for  you  will  never  see  a  Cali- 
fornian  going  at  any  other  gait  than  a  brisk  hand- 
gallop.  ' 

As  soon  as  the  ceremony  is  over,  the  new  mar- 
ried couple  mount  one  hor.se,  and  the  god-father 
and  god-mother  mount  the  other,  and  in  a  hand- 
gallop  gait  they  return  to  the  house  of  the  parents 
of  the  bride,  where  they  are  received  with  squibs 
and  the  firing  of  muskets,  and  before  the  bride- 
groom has  time  to  dismount,  two  persons,  who  are 
stationed  at  some  convenient  place  near  the  house, 
seize  him  and  take  ofi'  his   spurs,  which  they  re- 
tain until  the  owner  redeems  them  with  a  bottle  of 
brandy  or  the  money  to  buy  it.      The  married  cou- 
ple then  enter  the  house,  where  the  near  relations 
are  all  waiting  in  tears  to  receive  them.     They 
kneel  down  before  the  parents  and  ask  a  blessing^ 
which  is  by  the  parents  immediately  bestowed.  All 
persons,  at  this  moment,  are  excluded  from  the 
presence  of  the  parties,  and  the  moment  the  bless- 


I 


T 


I  three  hundred 

1  the  bride  with 
ind  of  women's 
cessary  to  feast 
ys,  as  the  incli- 
:e.  The  day  for 
g  come,  the  two 
idegroom  takes 
I,  his  future  god- 
akes  before  him 
they  galU)p  to 
lever  see  a  Caii- 
m  a  brisk  hand- 

ir,  the  new  mar- 
[  the  god-father 
and  in  a  hand- 
e  of  the  parents 
ved  with  squibs 
efore  the  bride- 
jersons,  who  are 
}  near  the  house, 
I,  which  they  re- 
with  a  bottle  of 
?he  married  cou- 
e  near  relations 
ve  them.  They 
d  ask  a  blessing,i 
ly  bestowed.  All 
eluded  from  the 
loment  the  bless- 


I 


fa  1.1  HUH 


r,     LOST     T  R  A  r  r  KRS  . 


m 


ing  is  bestowed,  llu-  bridfgroom  iniikes  a  sign  or 
speaks  to  soiiir  p(M>on  near  liiui,  and  tiif  guitar  and 
violins  are  struck  up,  and  dancing  and  drinking  is 
the  order  of  the  day. 

The  moment  a  child  is  born  on  a  farm  in  Cali- 
fornia, and  the  midwife  has  iiad  time  to  clothe  it,  it 
is  given  to  a  man  on  li()rs<-back,  who  rides  post- 
haste to  some  Mission  with  tlie  new  born  infant  in 
his  arms,  and  presents  it  to  a  priest  for  baptism. 
This  sacrament  having  been  administered,  the 
parly  return,  and  the  chikl  may  rest  sometimes  lor 
a  whole  montli,  without  taking  an  excursion  on 
horseback  ;  l)Ut  after  tiie  lapse  ol"  that  time,  (one 
jnonth),  it  hardly  escapes  one  day  without  being 
on  horseback,  until  the  day  of  sickness  or  death. 
The  above  statements  will  show  how  much  truth 
there  is  in  the  assertion  that  the  Californians  are 
almost  born  and  almost  married  in  their  saddles. 

Workman  represents  the  whole  of  California  as 
given  up  to  pleasurable  amusements,  some  of 
which  are  very  cruel,  but  suited  to  the  minds  of  a 
priest-ridden,  degraded,  ignorant,  and  semi-barba- 
rian people.  These  are  bear  and  bull  fighting,  and 
cock  fighting,  and  fandangoes ;  amusements  in 
which  they  generally  indulge  on  the  Sabhath,  and 
to  which  they  generally  repair  after  divine  service, 
led  on  by  a  priest-hood  who  are  more  frequently 
to  be  seen  in  cock-pits  and  amphitheatres,  or  at 
.card  tables,  than  in  the  sanctuary  of  the  Most 
High.  These  amphitheatres  vary  as  to  their  area, 
according  to  the  size  of  the  towns,  in  the  vicinity  of 
which  they  are  always  made. 
17 


AiiSSt- 


-oaoB 


194 


THE     I,  o  S  r     T  R  A  P  P  K  R  S  • 


Mr.  VV.)rkma.i  uu.  IVc.|iu-iitly  present  at  tJuur 
cxhibiticn.,  and  Nvil..e..e.l  their  iHMlbrn..in.ert  in  an 
amphitheatre  of  very  great  nize.     He  state,  the  an- 
Hen^>lago  was  always  i.n.nense,  an.l  the  exc.tement 
and  noise  very  great.     A  bull-light  always  drawn 
forth  the  greatest  concourse  ;-a  real,  old-lashio..ea 
-old  Spain  bull-light.     Thousands  and  thousan.b 
come  and   cram  the  seats,  that   are  Hxe.l   up,  «ne 
rising  above   the  other,  around   the  amphitheutr.', 
and  make  a  nu.ltitude,  at  last,  that  would  setMii  to 
be  the  whole  poi.ulation  of  California.     A  wild  bu  I 
of  the  fiercest  kind,  which  has  been   taken   wilU 
their  lassos,  and  exasperated  until  he  is  in  a  tre- 
mendous rage,  is  turneil  loose  upon  the  arena,  and 
la  followed   by  the  bull-fighters,  some  of  whom  are 
on  foot  and  some  on  horses  armed  with  spears  and 
swords.     And  now  the  contest  begins,  for  the  mo- 
ment the  bull  sees  his  adversaries,  he  makes  a  des- 
perate spring  at  them,  and  allthe  equestrian  sk.Uand 
tact  of  these  distinguished   horsemen  arc  put  u.to 
practical  exercise  to  keep  beyond  the  reach  ot  his 
horns,  and,  at  the  same  time  to  dispatch  him.     M* 
horse  is  taken  into  an  amphitheatre,  that  is  not  well 
trained  to  bull-baiting,  and  it  is  therefoi-e  generally 
the  case,  that  the  horses  w  hid.  are  used  on  tiieso 
occasions  show  as  much  tact  as  their  riders.     \  et  it 
somfimcs  happens  that  horse  and  rider  are  killed 
in  the  contest,  and  it  oflen  happens  t1u>t  men  and 
horses  are  badly  gored.     During  the  contest,  as  the 
enraged  animal  variously  attack,  the  foot-men  and 
horses,  he  i8  pierced  and  goaded  with  spears  and 
lances,  which  make  him  the  more  furious.     Finally, 


i 


^m 


lit   at   tlieir 
iiinct'rt  in  an 
[utj-n  the  aa- 
•  fxcitemcnt 
wayw  drawrt 
Ul-fu!*hione(l 
1(1  thousiindtt 
ixtd   up,  one 
mpliitlieutr*', 
ould  st-eni  to 

A  wild  bull 

taken   with 

ia  in  a  tre- 
le  arena,  and 
of  whom  are 
th  spears  and 
,  for  the  mo- 
inakes  a  dea- 
lt rian  skill  and 
II  are  put  into 
e  reach  of  his 
tch  him.     No 
hat  in  not  well 
foi-e  generally 
used  on  these 
riders.     Yet  it 
der  are  killed 
Llu«t  men  and 
contest,  as  the^i|k 
?  foot-men  and^HP 
:ith  spears  and 
ious.     Finally, 


•WlfV* 


T  II  K     LOST     T  R  A  I'  P  KR8 


' 


IN 


ar 


exhausted  from  rage,  violent  exertions,  and  tho 
wounds  he  has  received,  he  lolls  out  his  tongue  and 
bellows,  which  beinj,'  an  omen  of  victory  on  the 
part  of  his  assailants,  elicits  one  tremendous  burst 
of  applause  after  another,  from  the  excited  multi- 
tude. In  the  meantime  the  goading  and  piercing 
is  kept  up,  until  the  bull  is  dispatchtid  amid  the 
shouts  of  thousands  and  thousands.  The  dead  bull 
is  then  removed  from  the  amphitheatre,  and  ano- 
ther bull  is  then  brought  in,  and  the  same  scene  ia 
acted  over  again.  Sometimes  a  bear  is  turned  in 
with  the  bull,  and  then  the  amphitheatre  is  smaller, 
so  as  to  bring  the  combatants  more  immediately 
together.  A  contest  between  a  bear  and  a  bull  ia 
generally  soon  terminated,  as  one  of  the  combat- 
ants or  the  other,  by  acijuiring  some  advantage  at 
the  outset,  very  soon  dispatches  his  adversary. 

The  constant  indulgence  in  such  cruel  and  inhu- 
man amusements  and  exhibitions  as  the  above,  will 
lead  the  reader  to  see  that  the  inhabitants  of  Cali- 
fornia are  not  a  very  refined  and  enlightened  people. 
It  is  true,  there  are  a  number  of  missions,  that  are 
occupied  by  Catholic  priests,  whose  ostensible  object 
is  to  propagatv-  the  principles  of  the  Christiu,n  re- 
ligion :  but  what  can  a  set  of  men  do  in  an  under- 
taking of  this  kind,  when  in  their  own  mode  of 
living,  they  daily  violate  and  trample  under  their 
feet,  every  principle  of  that  faith,  in  the  spread  of 

hich  they  profess  to  be  engaged  !  What  import- 
ance can  the  savages  of  that  country  attach  to  the 
Christian  religion,  when  they  are  told  that  such 
priests  are  its  divinely  authorized  representatives  ? 


¥■ 


'•A 


imt-' 


::n  'i 


I'    I 


lOB 


TIIK     I.  i>.ST     TllAlM'KKS 


If  thp  one  half  hv  trur  that  in  told  of  thr  ahoiniim- 
tions   of  thr   priesthood   iu  that  j,'ardcii  npot  of  the 
globe,  that  order   there  tnUHt  he  a  perfect  embodi- 
ment  of  every  wicked  attribute   that  darkenn   the 
character  of  corrupt  human  nature.     Mr.  Hastings, 
who  was  in  that  country  in  IM'.i,  and  vvh„  is  now 
residing  there,  gives  a  very  well  .lelineated  account 
of  the  religious  condition  of  California;  and  when  1 
read  his  Htat.Mnenls  about  the  missions,  and   those 
who  occupy  them,  i  confess,  that  1  viewed  them  as 
the  exaggerated  and  distorted  representations  ol  a 
mind  laboring  under  some  strong    prejudice.     IJut 
when  these   statements    were    fully    supported   by 
the  testimony  of   Workman,  and  severtd  other  citi- 
zens of  this  country,  who  have  visited  Calitornia, 
I  am  constrained   to  believe   them   to   be  entirely 

correct. 

These  missionary  establishments  are  the  resi- 
dences of  the  priests,  to  each  of  which  arc  attache.l 
fifteen  square  miles  of  land,  which  ia  divided  into 
lots  to  suit  the  native  converts  belonging  to  the 
establishment.  On  these  lots  the  converts,  (or  I 
should  rather  call  them,  poor  humbugged  vassals 
and  dupes)  dwell  in  their  miserable  huts,  in  the 
most  degrading  submission  to  a  .sacerdotal  domma- 

^'""m  the  produce  of  the  lands  and  all  the  stock 
about  these  establishments,  as  well  as  the  proceeus 
resulting  from  sales,  are  entirely  at  the  disposal  ot 


the  priests,  the  wealth  of  t  lese  religious  digmta- 
ries  is  sometimes  very  great.  Over  these  fifteen 
square  miles,  allotted  to  each  mission  bv  the  go 


:# 


J 


ii*ii^  imimiin0^ 


TIIK     I.dST     TRAl'l'KRH. 


tm 


\u'  Hlxuni na- 
il H|uit  of  the 
rivv.l  i'rnbodi- 
(liirkriiH   the 
kir.  Hastings, 
I  who  is  now 
•ated  afloount 
;  anil  whon  I 
IS,  anil   thoao 
jwed  thcin  as 
■ntations  of  a 
•cjudice.     But 
supported   by 
iM'al  other  citi- 
ed  California, 
U)  be  entirely 

are  the  resi- 
h  are  attached 
ia  divided  into 
longing  to  the 
converts,  (or  I 
)Ugged  vassals 
e  huts,  in  the 
rdotal  doinina- 

I  all  the  stock 
Fis  the  proceeds 
the  disposal  of 
iigious  dignita 
■r  these  fifteen 
lion  by  the  gd- 


• 


• 


vernment,  vast  droveH  of  horaeH,  numbering  several 
thousands,  and  h«u'ds  of  cattle  even  more  nunuirous, 
and  sheep,  and  hogs,  may  be  seen,  watched  by  Her- 
vile  Indians,  who,  like  the  stock,  are  the  property 
of  the  prieHtH.  Appt  rtaining  to  these  establish- 
ments are  also  extensive  vineyards,  that  yield  an 
abundance  of  wine  for  the  use  of  the  priesthood. 
In  the  midst  of  this  donuiin  sits  enthroned  a  fat, 
pursy,  pompous,  wine-drinking,  debauched  priest, 
who  is  lord  of  all  the  country  and  consciences 
within  the  above  named  limits  (fifteen  miles 
square). 

We  have  said  that  the  Californiana  are  a  very 
ignorant  and  degraded  people.  Indeed  they  are 
but  little  above  the  Indians,  with  whom  they  have 
intermarried,  and  to  whom  they  are  in  all  respects 
assimilated.  It  is  the  policy  of  their  religious 
rulers  to  keep  them  in  thi..  condition,  to  perpetuate 
their  wealth,  power,  and  influence.  But  it  is  grati- 
fying to  be  able  to  say  that  this  deplorable  state 
of  things  seems  to  be  destined  very  shortly  to  mu- 
tation. The  great  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  remark- 
able salubrity  of  the  climate,  its  various  valuable 
productions,  and  its  vast  resources  of  every  other 
Mnd,  are  now  actir  is  a  charm,  and  inducing 
many  of  our  intellige.i  citizens,  rnd  the  citizens  of 
other  countries,  to  seek  their  fortunes  in  that  land 
of  great  promise.  They  are  hailed  as  benefactors 
by  the  people,  although  they  may  be  viewed  with 
suspicion  by  the  priests  and  those  in  authority. 
The  principles  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  are 
being  introduced  there,  and  a  strong  partiality  is 


■  1 ' 


••it 


■M«u«pMMi|>*i4H|M!Ml 


198 


THE     I,  O  S  T     TRAPPERS. 


^W 


i  ! 


expressed  by  the  peo])le  to  our  forms  of  govern- 
ment and  religion  ;  and  unless  measures  are  adop- 
ted by  that  government  to  prevent  our  people  from 
immigrating  into  that  country,  a  revolution  in  favor 
of  our  institutions  must  take  place,  and  who  would 
not  be  delighted  to  see  such  a  happy  change  ?  Who 
does  not  desire  to  see  the  twenty  thousand  semi- 
barbarians  of  Upper  California,  now  in  a  state  of 
wretched  vassalage,  elevated  to  the  condition  of  a 
people  enjoying  the  blessings  of  education,  and  the 
liberty  of  a  free  and  enlightened  conscience?    Will 
the  government  of  Mexico  venture  to  say  that  our 
citizens,  and  those  of  any  other  civilized  and  chris- 
tian country,  shall  not  take  up  their  residence  in 
California,  because,  perchance,  her  duped,  down- 
trodden, priest-ridden  people  may  get  a  little  too 
much  light,  and  see  and  feel  their  own  situation, 
and  the  tyranny  by  which  they  are  now  oppressed  ? 
The  juxtaposition  of  the  two  governments,  (ours 
and  that  of  Mexico),  the  constant  intermingling  of 
their  citizens,  the  opportunity  which  the  natives  of 
New  Mexico  and  California  have  of  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  our  citizens,  and  trading  with  them, 
and  of  learning  something  of  the  excellency  of  our 
various  institutions,  all  have  the  effect  of  prepos- 
sessing them  in  favor  of  our  principles,  and  have 
ah-eady  caused  thousands  of  anxious  eyes  to  be 
turned  to  the  United  States  as  their  friends  and 
future  benefactors. 

In  writing  on  this  subject,  I  derive  my  informa- 
tion from  gentlemen  who  have  been  engaged  for  a 
number  of  years  in  the  Santa  Fe  trade,  and  those 


m 


li  f', 


of  govern- 
s  are  adop- 
people  from 
ion  in  favor 

who  would 
inge  ?  Who 
jHand  semi- 

a  state  of 
ndition  of  a 
ion,  and  the 
3nce?  Will 
ay  that  our 
d  and  chris- 
•esidence  in 
iped,  down- 

a  little  too 
n  situation, 
■  oppressed  ? 
nents,  (ours 
•mingling  of 
e  natives  of 
ecoming  ac- 
f  with  them, 
llency  of  our 
t  of  prepos- 
?s,  and  have 

eyes  to  be 

friends  and 

my  informa- 
iigaged  for  a 
e,  and  those 


m 


T  II  K     I,  OST     TRAP  P  i;  RS. 


199 


who  have  traveled  through  all  of  California.  I 
have  heard  these  gentlemen  freijiiently  assert,  that 
when  our  forces  in  the  present  war  with  Mexico 
shall  march  into  Sana  Fe  and  Monterey,  the  capital 
of  Upper  California,  instead  of  UK'cting  with  resis- 
tance, they  would  be  hailed  as  their  deliverers.  In 
fulfdment  of  these  prophecies,  look  at  Colonel 
Kearney,  as  he  enters  Santa  Fe  and  lifts  and  un- 
furls the  tlag  of  our  country,  greeted  by  the  united 
voices  of  a  people  who  feel  that  deliverance  has 
at  last  come.  Look  also  at  our  Hag  at  Monterey, 
the  capital  of  Upper  California,  as  it  waves  in  the 
breezes  of  the  Pacific,  and  infuses  joy  into  thou- 
sands of  hearts.  And  look  at  our  little  exploring 
party  of  sixty  men  only,  led  on  by  Captain 
Fremont,  as  they  put  to  flight  and  pursue,  without 
the  loss  of  a  single  man,  Castro,  the  Mexican  go- 
vernor of  California,  with  all  his  forces,  and  tell 
me  what  these  things  mean,  if  they  do  not  clearly 
show  that  the  majority  of  the  people  are  with  us. 

In  support  of  what  has  been  stated  above,  we 
will  give  an  extract  from  a  letter  w-ritten  by  a  gen- 
tleman, one  of  our  own  citizens,  who  is,  at  this 
time,  chief  magistrate  of  Monterey,  iu  Upper  Cali- 
fornia. "  I  was  elected,"  says  he,  "  by  the  sutlra- 
ges  of  the  people.  The  vote  polled  was  a  very 
large  one,  though  no  officer  or  seaman  connected 
with  our  squadron  went  to  the  polls.  I  mention 
these  facts  as  an  evidence  of  the  good  feeling  that 
prevails  here  toward  our  flag.  Any  hostility  must 
have  defeated  my  election.  The  office  is  one  which 
I  do  not  covet ;  it  is  full  of  labor  and  responsibility. 


II 


^.a!:;! 

.|i-,jj 


1^ 


mt!^ 


200 


THE     LOST     TKAl'PERS. 


'♦      i 


It  covers  every  question  of  civil  policy  in  Monterey, 
and  reaches  to  the  lives  and  fortunes  of  the  inhabit- 
ants through  an  immense  jurisdiction.  General  Cas- 
tro's oliicers  and  men  have  returned  to  their  homes, 
and  signed  a  parole  not  to  take  up  arms  against  the 
authority  of  the  United  States,  or  say  or  do  any  thing 
to  disturb  the  tramiuillity  of  the  present  government. 
This  puts  an  end  to  all  further  war  in  California; 
indeed  there  is  no  disposition  here  among  the  peo- 
ple to  oiler  resistance.     The  masses  are  thoroughly 
with  us,  and  right  glad  to  get  rid  of  Mexican  rule. 
Had    it   been   otherwise,  they  would  never  have 
elected  me  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  Monterey. 
We  are  all  regarded  mor(>  in  the  light  of  benefac- 
tors than  victors.     Their  friendship  and  confidence 
must  never  be  betrayed.     California  must  never  be 
surrendered  to  Mexico.      If  that  country  has  still 
good  claims  to  her,  let  thfisc   claims  be   liquidated 
by  an  equivalent  in  money.     But  it  would  be  trea- 
son to  the  lives  and  fortunes  of  the  best  inhabit- 
ants to  surrender  the  pi .nince  itself.     Let  Congress 
at  once  annex  her  to  the  Union  as  a  territory,  and 
establish  a  civil  government.     We  require  a  new 
judicial  system  ;  the  present  one  throws  all  the  re- 
sponsibility on  the  alcades  (justices  of  the  peace). 
I  broke  through  the  trammels  of  usage  a  few  days 
since,  and  empanmlled  the  lirst  jury  that  ever  sat 
in  California.     The  (irst  men  in  Monterey  were  on 
it ;  the  case  involved  a  large  amount  of  property, 
and  the  allegatio     of  a  high  crime.      No  one  m.iu 
should  decide  such  a  case.     The  verdcit  of  the  jury 
was  submitted  to  without  a.  murmur  from  either  of 


% 


lir::  \ 


!'.  i 


1 


THE     LOST    T  R  A  r  P  E  R  S . 


201 


in  Monterey, 
f  the  inhabit- 
General  Can- 
)  their  homes, 
ns  againnt  the 
rdo  any  thing 
;  government. 
m  Cahlbrnia ; 
long  the  peo- 
re  thoroughly 
Mexican  rule. 
1  never  have 
of  Monterey, 
it  of  benefac- 
nd  contidence 
nust  never  be 
in  try  has  still 
be  liquidated 
,-ould  be  trea- 
best  inhabit- 
Let  Congress 
territory,  and 
rciuire  a  new 
ws  all  the  re- 
[)f  tlie  pcfvi'e). 
gc  a  few  (hiys 

that  ever  sat 
terey  were  on 
t  of  property, 

No  one  mnu 
cit  of  the. jury 
from  either  of 


% 


9#' 


the  parties.  The  community  seemed  much  grati- 
fied with  this  new  form  of  trial ;  they  think,  and 
very  rightly  too,  that  twelve  men  are  less  liable  to 
partiality,  prejudice  and  corruption,  than  one. 

"  It  was  the  establishment  of  trials  by  jury 
here  that  probably  led  to  my  election  as  magis- 
trate. Mr.  Semple,  an  emigrant  printer,  and  my 
self,  have  established  a  small  paper  here,  the  first 
ever  published  in  California.  It  is  issued  every 
Saturday ;  its  appearance  made  not  a  little  sensa- 
tion. We  found  the  type  in  the  forsaken  cell  of  a 
monk,  and  the  paper  is  such  as  is  used  here  for  segar 
wrappers,  and  was  imported  for  that  purpose.  It 
is  printed  in  English  and  Spanish.  We  are  going 
to  send,  at  once,  to  the  United  States  for  larger 
paper  and  a  fresh  font  of  type.  With  this  new  en- 
gme  of  power  we  are  going  to  sustain  the  genius 
of  American  institutions  here.  Three  tliousand 
emigrants  from  the  United  States,  it  is  understood, 
have  just  arrived  at  San  Francisco,  in  two  compa- 
nies, one  commanded  by  Captain  Hastings,  and  the 
other  by  Captain  Russel,  and  ten  tliousand  more  on 
the  way." 

So  much  for  the  people  of  California,  and  their 
present  condition  and  future  prospects.  In  our 
next  chapter  we  will  give  the  reader  a  description 
of  the  country,  as  to  climate,  health,  productions, 
soil,  and  local  advantages. 


'I  ' 
Sit 


1 


r::^ 


CHAPTER   XVII. 


Description   of  the   soil,  climate,   health,  and   productions  of  Upper 

(Jalifurnia. 

As  there  are  many  in  the  United  States  who  are 
now  thinking  of  going  to  California,  and  no  doubt 
many  more  will  remove  there  if  that  country  should 
be  attached  to  our  territory,  I  would  state  that 
Upper  California  is  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
and  between  latitude  31°  and  42°  on  the  Pacific, 
and  about  two  thousand  miles  from  the  fronier  of 
the  state  of  Missouri,  and  the  route,  the  greater 
part  of  the  way,  is  the  way  to  Oregon.  Emigrants 
going  to  the  two  countries  travel  together  to  Fort 
Hall,  at  which  place  they  are  about  twenty  days' 
journey  from  their  destination.  The  climate  of 
California  is  a  point  upon  which  every  man  who 
thinks  of  going  there  will  aim  at  obtaining  all  the 
correct  information  that  can  be  had.  The  journey 
is  very  long  and  tedious,  and  the  advantages 
gained  ought  to  be  many  and  valuable. 

When  an  emigrant  goes  to  the  western  frontier 
of  our  states,  and  finds  a  cliiTxate  that  is  destructive 
to  his  health,  it  is  very  easy  for  him  to  find  a  very 
healthy  region  to  which  he  may  repair  and  rebuild 
a  broken  down  constitution.  Persons,  however, 
who  go  to  Oregon,  or  California,  will,  in  all  proba- 

(202) 


uductions  of  Upper 

States  who  are 
,  and  no  doubt 
country  should 
uld  state  that 
sky  Mountains, 
)n  the  Pacific, 
the  {Von  .ier  of 
te,  the  greater 
•n.  Emigrants 
igether  to  Fort 
t  twenty  days' 
he  climate  of 
very  man  who 
taining  all  the 
The  journey 
le  advantages 
able. 

estern  frontier 
t  is  destructive 
to  find  a  very 
air  and  rebuild 
sons,  however, 
i,  in  all  proba- 


TltK     MIST     TRAPl'KRS, 


203 


bility,  burj-  tluiir  bones  there,  whatever  the  country 
may  prove  to  be.  For  but  lew  families  would 
have  perseverance  enough  to  retrace  their  steps 
for  two  thousand  miles,  through  a  country  not 
inhabited,  except  by  savages.  Although  I  met 
with  persona,  during  my  residence  in  the  State 
of  Missouri,  who  had  moved  Avith  their  families 
to  Oregon,  and  staying  there  for  a  time,  returned 
to  the  States,  much  dissatisfied,  and  of  course,  dis- 
posed to  give  the  country  a  very  bad  name. 

That  Calitornia  is  healthy,  must  be  evident  from 
the  fact,  that  it  is  a  country  of  vallies  and  moun- 
tains. For  it  is  generally  the  cas*^,  that  the  face 
of  a  country  determines  its  character,  as  it  regards 
health.  A  country  of  vallies  and  very  high  moun- 
tains is  always  blessed  with  a  pure  clastic  atmos- 
phere, and  an  abundance  of  fine  water,  which 
every  one  knows,  are  essential  to  good  health.  The 
mountains  of  California  are  much  higiier  than  the 
Rocky  Mountains  themselves.  The  remarkable 
phenomenon  has  been  made  know^n,  that  near  the 
coast  of  the  Pacific,  and  at  the  extremity  of  the 
continent,  there  is  a  range  of  mountains,  (the  Sierra 
Nevada)  that  is  one  of  the  highest  on  the  face  of 
the  globe.  Its  lofty  peaks,  in  all  parts  of  Califor- 
nia, and  along  the  shores  and  far  on  ihe  waters 
of  the  Pucific,  may  be  seen  covered  with  perpetual 
snow,  and  glistening  in  the  sun.  My  authority  for 
these  statements,  is  Captain  Frenr.ont,  who  recently 
traveled  through  Oregon  and  Upper  California,  ex- 
ploring the  country  and  taking  the  altitude  of  the 
highest  peaks  and  ranges  of  mountains.     He  repre- 


Ejiil, 


204 


THE     LOST     T  R  A  P  I"  E  R  S  . 


m  IT 


Bents  a  pass  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  or  Snowy  moun- 
tains   aa   2,000  feet  higher  than  the  South  Paiip  in 
the  Rocky  mountains,  and  several  peaks  in  view, 
that  rose  several  thousand  icet  still  higher.     Those 
who  have  read  Mr.  Hastings'  account  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  or  as  he  calls  them,  the  California  moun- 
tains, will  remember  that  he  speaks  of  this  range 
as  "much  less  elevated  than  the  Rocky  mountains." 
We  consider  Cai)tain  P'remont  as  the  best  authority, 
as  he  did  what  Mr.  Hastings  did  not,  that  is,  he  as- 
certained the  altitude  of  those  mountains  by  the  use 
of  proper  instrump.its,  whilst  Mr.  Hastings  most 
probably  was  guided  in  his  calculation  by  the    un- 
assisted eye,  and  information  derived  from  others. 
It  is  easy,  however,  to  conceive  how  two  men,  both 
of  whom  may  be  aiming  to  state  nothing  but  that 
which  is   correct,  may  differ  in  opinions  about  a 
country,   of    which    so  much  yet  remains    to   be 
known.     Trappers,  who  have   been  in   the  Rocky 
Mountains  from  six  to  ten  years,  have  informed  me 
that  they  have  frequently  come  upon  large  rivers 
in  those  mountains,  of  the  name  and  even  the   ex- 
istence of  which,  they  had  no  knowledge  whatever, 
and  the  course  of  which  are  not  to  be  found  laid 
down  in   any  map    of  that  country.     Such  is  the 
great  extent  of  tliat  country,  lying   between    the 
States  and  the  Pacilic,  a  great  deal  of  which  is  now, 
and  is  likely  to  continue  to  be,  unexplored  regions. 
But  let  us  return  to  the  climate  of  California,  as 
this  is  a  matter  in  which  every  emigrant  to  that  '^ 
country  takes  a  deep  interest,  and  about  which  he 
wants  nothing  but  facts.     The  united  testimony  of 


J 


tfnmfmimi-mr^Hfjmf 


I. 

r  Snowy  moun- 
■  South  Paiip  in 
peaks  in  view, 
higher.  Those 
nt  of  the  Sierra 
alifornia  moun- 
s  of  this  range 
iky  mountains." 
;  best  authority, 
t,  that  is,  he  as- 
itains  by  the  use 

Hastings  most 
;ion  by  the  un- 
ved  from  others. 
,v  two  men,  both 
nothing  but  that 
pinions  about  a 

remains  to  be 
■n  in  the  Rocky 
five  informed  me 
pon  large  rivers 
id  even  the  cx- 
I'ledge  whatever, 

to  be  found  hiid 
ry.  Such  is  the 
ng  between  the 
of  which  is  now, 
:;xplored  regions. 

of  CaUfornia,  as 
emigrant  to  that 
I  about  which  he 
ited  testimony  of 


THE     LOST      r  R  A  P  r  K  R  9 , 


205 


all  inen.who  have  been  in  California,  make  it  notonly 
healthy,  but  ecjual,  in  this  advantage,  to  any  part  of 
the  world.  It  is  not  subject  to  the  extremes  of 
heat  and  cold,  that  are  peculiar  to  the  climate  of 
all  the  States.  In  any  part  of  Upper  California 
snow  seldom  falls,  and  it  soon  and  always  disap- 
pears at  the  rising  of  the  sun.  This  applies  to  the 
low  lands,  or  the  vallies  and  table  lands,  which  are 
the  parts  of  the  country  that  are  destined  to  be  jet- 
tied  and  improved. 

The  remarkable  uniformity  of  temperature  pecu- 
liar to  California,  and  the  mildness  of  its  climate, 
is  owing  to  the  fact  that  durii.g  the  summer  winds 
almost  constantly  prevail  from  the  north  and  north- 
west, and,  sweeping  over  vast  bodies  of  perpetual 
snow,  they  are  very  cool  and  refreshing.  And  du- 
ring the  winter  there  arc  regular  warm  sea  breezes, 
which  tend  to  diminish  the  cold.  The  heated  and 
rarified  air  of  the  valleys  and  low  lands  ascends 
and  gives  place  to  the  exhilarating  and  refreshing 
streams  of  pute  air  that  come  from  the  adjacent 
snow  capped  mountains.  As  there  is  very  little  cold 
weather  during  the  winter,  and  no  snow  or  frost  to 
do  any  harm,  there  is  perpetual  life  in  the  vegetable 
kingdom.  This  must  be  the  case,  otherwise  there 
would  be  no  adequate  means  of  subsistence  for  the 
thousands,  and  ten,  and  twenty,  and  fifty  thi-usands 
of  wild  horses  and  cattle  that  are  in  California. 

In  the  winter,  (if  they  can  be  said  to  have  a 
winter  season),  that  is,  during  the  months  of  our 
winter,  all  the  productions  of  the  earth  are  grow- 
ing, some  of  them  rapidly,  refreshed  as  they  are  by 


:*v- 


^il 


206 


THE     LOST     T  R  A  r  r  E  R  8 


frequent  warm  rains  ;  and  in  the  npring,  at  any 
rate  in  the  beginning  of  summer,  crops  of  all  kinds 
arc  fully  matured.     This  seems  to  be  a  wise  pro- 
vision of  Trovidence,  for  in  the  latter  part  of  sum- 
mer there  is  generally  not  only  a  want  of  rain,  but 
frc(iueutly  severe  droughts,  which  has  made  water 
and  food  to  be  so  scarce  as  to  cause  the  loss  of 
thousands  of  stock.    This  is  tlie  only  objection  that 
1  have  ever  heard  urged  against  that  country  ;  and 
it  must  be  acknowledged  that  it  is,  to  some  extent, 
an  ur  "avorable  trait  in  its  character.    It  seems  that 
the  success  of  the  crops  depends  upon  the  quantity 
of  rain  that  falls  in  the  rainy  season,  which  is  in 
the  winter  months.     If  a  great  abundance  of  rain 
falls  during  the  winter,  the  crops  the  ensuing  sum- 
mer are  said  to  be  very  abundant;  and,  on  the 
contrary,  if  there  be  a  lack  of  rain  during  the  rainy 
season,  the  crops  are  not  so  abundant.      But  even 
in  a  dry  season,  such  is  the  great  fertility  of  the 
soil,  the  crops,  compared  with  those  in  the  states, 
are  immense.    The  uniformity  then  of  temperature, 
the   dry  summer   and   autumn  seasons,  the   pure 
streams  of  water,  an  atmosphere  remarkable  for 
its  elasticity  and  purity,  the  presence  of  very  high 
mountains,  whose  peaks  are  always  white  with 
snow,  must  convince  any  man  that  Upper  Califor- 
nia cannot  be  any  thing  but  a  very  healthy  part  of 
the  world.     All  descriptions  of  this  country,  as  it 
regards  the  climate,  whether  written  or  oral,  with 
which  we  have  met,  speak  of  California   in    the 
same  unmeasured  terms  of  praise.     And  should  it 
be  attached  to  our  domain,  thousands  of  our  enter- 


18  . 

8pring,  at  uny 
roprt  of  all  kinda 

be  a  wise  pro- 
ter  part  of  sum- 
k-ant  of  rain,  but 
has  made  water 
iutte  the  loss  of 
ly  objt  ction  that 
lat  country ;  and 
1,  to  Bome  extent, 
jr.    It  seems  that 
pon  the  quantity 
ason,  which  is  in 
Dundance  of  rain 
he  ensuing  sum- 
i,nt ;  and,  on  the 
during  the  rainy 
lant.      But  even 
It  fertility  of  the 
ise  in  the  states, 
n  of  temperature, 
easons,  the   pure 
?  remarkable  for 
;nce  of  very  high 
vays  white  with 
it  Upper  Califor- 
y  healthy  part  of 
his  country,  as  it 
;ten  or  oral,  with 
California   in    the 
And  should  it 
mds  of  our  enter- 


» 
T  II  E     I,  O  H  T     T  R  A  r  r  K  R  8  . 


207 


prising  citizens  will  be  seen,  every  spring,  taking 
up  their  line  of  inarch  from  the  frontier  of  Missouri 
for  that  country.  And  then,  again,  the  fact  that  at 
ail  seasons  of  the  year  the  population  are  in  pos- 
session of  the  most  perfect  health,  and  none  of 
those  diseases  are  to  be  seen  prevailing  that  are  so 
common  in  our  new  and  western  states,  and  make 
the  happiness  and  the  lives  of  the  people  so  pre- 
carious. 

We  will  state  another  fact  (lest  we  may  forget 
to  do  ao  elsewhere)  connected  with  emigrating 
to  California  or  Oregon.  It  is  the  great  improve- 
ment a  trip  to  either  of  those  countries,  or  to  Santa 
Fe,  is  sure  to  make  on  the  health  of  invalids  who 
may  undertake  the  journey.  I  have  known  many 
who  were  completely  broken  down  by  the  diseascH 
of  Missouri,  that  took  trips  of  this  kind  in  search 
of  health,  and  have  always  returned  not  only  com- 
pletely restored,  but  even  more  lleshy  than  they 
had  been  at  any  period  of  their  lives.  If  there  be 
a  certain  cure  for  diseased  lungs  in  the  world,  I  be- 
lieve it  to  be  a  trip  to  one  of  those  countries.  Let 
no  invalid  be  afraid  to  try  it.  If  he  thinks  the 
trip  too  long  to  California  or  Oregon,  let  him  go  to 
Santa  Fe,  which  is  but  about  nine  hundred  miles 
from  Missouri,  and  is  tiow  only  a  trip  of  pleasure. 
It  matters  not  how  reduced  he  may  be,  if  he  has 
strength  to  ride,  his  health  will  improve  from  the 
start.  I  have  met  with  many  gentlemen  in  the 
state  of  Missouri  who  were  of  the  opinion  that 
from  ten  to  twenty  years  had  been  added  to  their 
lives  by  a  trip  to  Santa  Fe. 


308 


Tlir,     1,  nST     TRAVl'KUS. 


All  iinprrj'Hion  (;xistw  tlmt  Calilornia  is  not  \v«ll 
aupplieil  with  timber  ;  which  i-s   certainly  vt-ry  cr- 
ron«M)Us.     It  is  true,  linilH-r  is  not  as  abiindunt  in 
Honic  parts  of  that  country,  as  it  is  in  the  old  states, 
and  it  is  one  of  the  advantages  that  it  is  n«»t  so  abun- 
dant.    There  seems  to  be  a  great  mistake  in  the 
minds  of  the  majority  of  peoph>,  as  to   tlie  (fiuiiUilif 
of  timber   necessary  for    the  various  purposes    to 
wliich  it  is   usually  applied.     When  there  is  more 
than  a   sudiciency    for  said  purposes,  the  surplus 
must  be  an  expensive  obstruction  in  farming  opera- 
tions.    For   it  must   be  cut  down  and  removed  ofl" 
the  ground,  and  this  often  costs  more  than  the  land 
ia  worth.     And  if  the  whole  face  of  the  country  in 
California  were  covered  with  timber,  so  exuberant 
is  the  growth,  it  would  be  next  to  a  physical  im- 
possibility to  settle  the  country.     One  of  the  great- 
est facilities  experienced  by  emigrants   in  settling 
the  prairie  states,  is  the  absence  to  a  great  extent 
of  timber.     When  they  have  made  the  rails  and  in- 
closed their  land,  their  farms  are  made,  and  these 
farms  are  rich  and  beautiful  in  the  bargain,  and 
made  in  a  few  weeks.     By  the  time  they  may  want 
a  new    supply   of  rails   to   inclose    their  farms    a 
second  time,  timber  will  have  grown  up  to  sufficient 
size  to  make  them.     How  dilferent  is  the  case  with 
regard  to  the  lands  in  some  of  the  old  states,  that 
are  covered  with  a  dense  and  heavy  growth  of  tim- 
ber.    It  ia  the  lot  of  many  a  "  young  beginner  in  the 
world"  to  have  to  go  into  tne  forest,  alone  and  with- 
out any  assistance,  to  open  a  farm.    By  the  time  the 
trees  and  stumps  are  removed  ofi'  his  tract  of  land, 


J 


s . 

Ill  ill  irt  not  wrll 
rtaiiily  very  cr- 
iiH  HbiiiKtant  in 
n  the  old  Htiitrn, 
t  in  not  HO  abun- 

miHtake  in  the 

to  tlio  (/luinlilif 
us  purpoaeH  to 
n  tluTO  id  more 
ueM,  the  surplus 
1  fanning  opera- 
md  removed  oil' 
re  than  the  land 
if  the  country  in 
er,  so  exuberant 

a  physical  im- 
)ne  of  the  great- 
rants  in  settling 
to  a  great  extent 

the  rails  and  in- 
made,  and  these 
he  bargain,  and 
B  they  may  want 
e  their  farms  a 
n  up  to  sufficient 
t  is  the  case  with 
B  old  states,  that 
y  growth  of  tim- 
ig  beginner  in  the 
t,  alone  and  with- 
By  the  time  the 
his  tract  of  land, 


Til  K    I,  IIS  T     r  H  A  r  r  K  RS  . 


200 


and  he  has  things  fixed  tn  his  notion   and  taste,  he 
is  an  old,  worn-out  man,  if  not  in  years,  at  least  in 
feeling.  And  what  is  worse,  he  has  nothing  to  show 
for  his  time,  and  labor,  and  .  xpended  energies,  but 
a  farm   that  will  not  bring  as  much  jier  acre,  as  it 
would  have  cost   to  remove   the    timber.     I  have 
known  farmers,  in  Illinois  and  Missouri,  to  make 
their  rails   ten  miles  from  tlu-ir  prairie  lands,  and 
haul  them  that  distance,  and   make  a  prairie  farm 
infinitely  easier  than    tlu-y  could    have  opened    a 
farm  in  the  woods.     The  timi/er  in  California  is  in 
abundance  in  the  m«.«intains,  along  the  rivers,  and 
coast,  and  grows  to  an  extrr^ordinary  size  and  height. 
Workman  affirms  that  he  saw  trees  on  the  coast, 
that  were  not  less  than  two  hundred  feet  high,  and 
without  a  limb,  the   first  hundred  feet,  and  about 
thirty  feet  in  circumference.     The  principal  varie- 
ties are  oak,  ash,  fu-,  pine,  spruce,  cedar  of  grmt  size, 
called  red  wood,  cherry,  willow.     The  prickly  pear 
and  wormwood  are  to   be  found,  constituting  the 
only  vegetation  in  some  parts  of  California,  as  well 
as  Oregon  and  the  Rocky  Mountains.     The  forests 
abound  in  wild  grapes,  which  fact,  connected  with 
the  circumstance  that  there  are  extensive  vineyards 
belonging  to  the  missions  shows,  that  California  la 
admirably  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  grape. 
The  fact,  that  there  are  orchards  attached  to  those 
missions,  that  furni-sh  every  variety  of  fruit,  northern 
and  southern,  settles  another  important  question  in 
regard  to  the  fruits  of  the  country. 

Vegetables  of  all  kinds  are  produced  in  the  great- 
est abundance,  and  wheat,  corn,  rye,  oata,  hemp,  to- 
18 


■  ■1, 


M 


'210 


r  II  K    1. 1)  ST    r  R  A  rr  k  rh  . 


m^  'I 


haoco,  nnM'ulliviitrd  with  hh  iniicli  siicncfK  an  in  iiny 
pair  of  tin'  \V(irl(l.  In  the  Hdullii'in  part  of  r|)|)('r 
Calil'orniii,  and  Lovvrr  C.'alii'nriiia,  cotton,  rice,  oollci', 
c.viic,  and  llir  tro|ti<'al  I'ruitH,  bucIi  an  oranyoH,  pninc- 
KranatcH,  citron-^,  Iniioiit*,  ct  et'tcra,  nn-  cultivated 
and  coiiu!  to  pt  rH'ct  maturity,  (^lovt-r,  Ihix,  and 
oatH,  arc  in  many  partn,  Hpontantous  |»rodur.ti()nrt 
of  tlie  cartli,  and  may  hr  Hcf-n  in  viiHt  (irldri.  Tl»e 
wild  llax  in  (lalili)ruia  irf  tin-  wami'  an  our  varii'ty, 
and  is  to  be  Hi-tii  in  ( >iTgon  and  the  llooUy  Moun- 
tains. The  wild  uitH  and  clover,  almoHt  in  every 
renpect,  resemble    ao.se  of  tiie  states. 

Wheat  may  i)e  r<o\vn,  any  time  between  fall  anil 
spring,  at.d  the  time  of  eutliny  depends  on  the  time 
it  is  sown.  If  it  is  sown  in  the  fall,  it  will  mature 
in  the  spring.  The  ((uality  and  (pumtity  of  tobacco 
cultivated  is  said  to  be  eipial  to  that  of  any  portion 
of  the  world.  Indiied  all  the  experiments  that  have 
been  made  in  cultivating  the  ditierent  kinds  of 
grains  and  fruits,  have  re.Hulted  in  the  most  satisfac- 
tory, and  flattering  developments.  And  every  va- 
riety of  spontaneous  fruits  found  in  the  States  are 
fomid  there  luxuriant  and  abundant.  . 

One  of  the  most  interesting  characteristics  of 
this  country  is  the  immense  herds  of  cattle  and 
gangs  of  horses,  partially  wild,  that  may  be  seen 
grazing  on  the  prairies  and  plains.  The  almost 
endless  number  of  cattle  and  horses,  and  their  rapid 
increase,  and  the  ease  with  which  they  are  raised 
in  California,  makes  it  perhaps  the  greatest  stock 
country  in  the  world.  Indeed,  for  many  years,  cat- 
tle were  raised  (if  they  can  be  said  to  be  raised) 


! 


^ 


icnoHrt  an  in  any 
I  part  dl"  rpiMT 
toil,  rice,  collt'e, 
oraiiy;*'.-',  |M>ni('- 

art'  cultivated 
idVfi-,  llax,  and 
)Us  productiona 
iHt  (ifldri.     Tlie 

an  ouv  variity, 
e  llooUy  Mouii- 
ilrnortt  ill  evciy 

etwt'cn  fall  ami 
idri  (111  tlu;  tiiiio 
,  it  will  mature 
ntity  of  tobacco 
t  of  any  portion 
Ticntrt  that  have 
ercnt  kinds  of 
e  most  satisfae- 
And  every  va- 
1  the  Stated  ai-o 
t.  . 

aracteristicB  of 
i  of  cattle  and 
it  may  be  seen 
t«.  The  almost 
,  and  their  rapid 
they  are  rai«ed 
;  greatest  stock 
lany  years,  cat- 
d  to  be  raised) 


'wm" 


T  II  i:    LOST    r  R  A  r  r  i;  rs 


'211 


for  their  hides,  and  were  slmiKhtercd  by  thousands 
lor  this  object,  wiiilst  their  llcsli  was  left  on  the 
mound  as  food  for  wih'  beasts.  Uccently  there  has 
Ih'cii  an  increasinj?  demand  for  their  tallow  and 
beef,  and  indeed  a  >i;r«'at  many  cattle  are  driven  to 
Oregon  to  supply  tin-  emigrants. 

It  would  appear  that  the  cattle  of  California  arc 
of  an  inferior  tiuality,  as  the  people  of  Oregon 
greatly  prefer  the  cattle  tJikon  from  the  state  of 
Missouri.  Hence  several  drt  /es  of  cattle  (cows 
principally)  have  been  taken  to  Oregon  by  specula- 
tors from  Missouri,  and  sold  at  a  very  high  price, four 
times  as  much,  perhaps,  as  the  price  of  a  cow  from 
California.  The  preference  for  our  cattle  may  arise 
from  the  fact  that  they  are  more  tame  and  easily 
managed.  The  CaUfornia  cattle  are  said  to  be  very 
wild  and  ferocious,  and  from  the  fact  that  no  pains 
are  taken  to  cross  and  improve  the  race,  they  arc, 
in  all  probability,  very  rough.  They  are  certainly 
very  large,  and  generally  weigh  more  than  our  do- 
mesticated race,  which  excels  them  in  neatness  and 
gentleness  of  disposition. 

The  country  is  also  very  favorable  to  the  raising 
of  hogs  and  sheep,  of  which  any  number  may  be 
raised  with  little  or  no  trouble.  Horses  are  the 
favorite  stock  with  the  Californians.  A  Califor- 
nian  well  mounted  is  in  his  glory.  His  equipments, 
in  our  idea,  are  awkward  and  clumsy.  His  saddle, 
which  is  after  the  Moorish  mode,  is  high  behind  and 
before.  The  front  part,  called  the  pommel,  is  made 
very  strong,  as  the  Californians  are  in  the  habit  of 


212 


T  H  K     LOST     TRAPPERS, 


i! 


i;! 


fastening  their  lasso  to  it  when  they  have  noosed 
a  wild  horse,  cow,  or  bear.  Indeed  the  lasso  is  al- 
ways hanging  co'led  up  on  the  pommel  of  the  sad- 
dle, and  it  is  astonishing  to  what  a  variety  of  uses 
they  apply  it,  and  with  what  dexterity  they  throw 
it.  The  tree  of  a  California  saddle  is  covered  with 
two  or  throe  covers  of  raw  hide,  which  is  sometimes 
carved  and  embroidered.  The  stirrups,  which  are 
of  wood,  and  very  clumsy,  are  also  sometimes 
carved.  A  tremendous  pair  of  spurs,  as  large  as 
pitch-forks,  fastened  by  chains,  jingle  at  the  heels 
of  the  equestrian.  As  to  the  bridle,  it  often  has 
such  mechanical  force  that  it  is  perfectly  easy  for 
the  rider  to  break  the  jaws  of  his  horse.  The  seat 
of  the  saddle  is  so  deep  that  when  the  rider  occu- 
pies it,  it  is  almost  impossible  for  the  most  vicious 
horse  to  dismount  him. 

In  no  part  of  the  world  are  horses  so  numerous 
as  they  are  in  California.  One  man  will  frequently 
own  from  ten  to  twenty  thousand,  some  of  which 
are  distinguished  from  those  belonging  to  other 
men  by  being  branded.  These  horses  are  slightly 
smaller  than  our  horses,  but  they  are  very  clean- 
limbed, active,  and  capable  of  enduring  great  fa- 
tigue. It  is  said  to  be  very  common  for  a  Califor- 
nian  to  ride  one  hundred  miles  in  a  day,  or  one 
hundred  miles  in  ten  hoiu's,  on  the  same  horse.  It 
is  to  be  remembered,  however,  that  the  face  of  the 
country  is  very  level  and  the  roads  very  fine,  cir- 
cumstances that  very  much  determine  the  distance 
a  horse  will  travel  in  a  day.     Their  horses,  no 


■^ismkMi-' 


'•'mUr- 


•1 


lave  noosed 

lasso  is  al- 

of  the  sad- 

iety  of  uses 

they  throw 

overed  with 

i  sometimes 

),  which  are 

sometimes 

as  large  as 

,t  the  heels 

t  often  has 

tly  easy  for 

.     The  seat 

rider  occu- 

nost  vicious 

0  numerous 

1  frequently 
le  of  which 
g  to  other 
are  slightly 
very  clean- 
g  great  fa- 
ir a  Califor- 
day,  or  one 
B  horse.  It 
face  of  the 
ry  fine,  cir- 
he  distance 

horses,  no 


THE     I,  O  S  T     T  R  A  I'  1'  K  R  S 


213 


doubt,  arc  of  the  pony  kind,  and  from  the  fact  that 
no  pains  are  taken  to  improve  the  race, they  must  be 
very  degenerate.  As  numerous  as  horses  are  in 
California  and  Oregon,  and  as  cheap  as  they  are, 
there  is  a  demand  for  our  horses  there,  and  one 
good  horse  from  the  states  is  worth  twenty  of  those 
trifling  little  ponies. 


1 


'  i 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Santa  Fe  Trade. 

We  have  stated,  that  our  two  lost  trappers,  Work- 
man and  Spencer,  returned  to  the  States  with  a  com- 
pany of  Santa  Fe  traders.  We  have  also  alluded 
to  the  beneficial  effect,  which  a  trip  to  Santa  Fe  al- 
ways has  on  the  health  of  invalids,  and  we  have 
recommended  persons  laboring  under  pulmonary 
diseases  to  take  a  trip  of  this  kind  as  an  almost  cer- 
tain cure . 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  give  the  reader  a  short 
account  of  the  Santa  Fe  trade,  which  is  now  a  regu- 
lar business,  in  which  a  number  of  our  citizens  are 
regularly  engaged,  and  in  which  an  immense 
amount  of  capital  is  invested.  I  am  not  able  to 
state  the  year,  when  this  trade  assumed  its  present 
weight  and  importance  :  not  long  before  1824  or  5. 
Although  now  and  then  a  few  adventurous  indi- 
viduals would  venture  through  the  immense  wilds 
of  Louisiana  with  a  few  light  articles,  before  that 
time. 

This  trade  differs  in  one  resjject,  from  the  fur 
trade,  and  that  is  this.  The  latter  is  carried  on  by 
companies  of  very  heavy  capital.  The  Santa  Fe 
trade  is  carried  on  by  individuals.     A  man  engaged 

(214) 


1 


if 


THE     LOST     TR  A  I'l'  K  RS. 


215 


appers,  Work- 
er with  a  com- 
;  also  alluded 
3  Santa  Fe  al- 
,  and  we  have 
ler  pulmonary 
an  almost  cer- 

reader  a  short 
is  now  a  regu- 
ir  citizens  are 
an  immense 
im  not  able  to 
led  its  present 
fore  1824  or  5. 
enturous  indi- 
immense  wilda 
es,  before  that 

:,  from  the  fur 
s  carried  on  by 
The  Santa  Fe 
\  man  engaged 


in  this  trade  buys  his  goods  in  the  eastern  market, 
and  has  them  taken  to  the  frontier  of  Missouri. 
There  he  hires  a  sullicient  number  of  hands  to  drive 
his  teams  across  the  plains  to  Santa  Fe,  and  as 
many  more,  as  may  be  needed  for  other  purposes. 
His  goods  are  conveyed  in  wagons,  that  were  usu- 
ally drawn  by  mules.  Oxen  are  now  .substituted. 
A  Santa  Fe  company  generally  numbers  about  one 
hundred  men,  and  it  was  customary  to  depend  upon 
game  for  provisions,  but  now  every  company  takes 
a  supply  to  carry  them  through.  The  buffalo  have 
become  wild,  and  it  takes  too  much  time  to  hunt 
and  kill  them.  Moreover,  serious  disasters  have  be- 
fallen several  companies,  by  permitting  the  men  to 
leave  their  wagon  teams  to  engage  in  butfalo  hunts, 
as  Indians  have  sometimes  seized  such  times  as  a 
suitable  opportunity  to  rush  in  upon  a  company 
and  run  off  their  mules,  and  perhaps  cut  off  the 
party.  The  Indians  along  that  route,  have  learned 
that  it  is  very  easy  to  frighten  a  caravan  of  mules, 
and  their  policy  is  always  to  strike  a  panic  among 
them,  and  a  mu]o  friu^htencd  is  a  mule  frantic.  They 
cannot  be  restrained,  but  break  loose  and  dash  off, 
pursued  by  the  savages,  who  keep  up  the  panic  by 
a  constant  yell.  Formerly  the  traders  were  in  the 
habit  of  buying  mules  in  Santa  Fe,  and  bringing 
thf  m  to  the  States  ;  but  the  Spanish  mules  are  very 
small,  and  since  our  own  citizens  have  engaged 
in  the  raising  of  mules,  that  kind  of  stock  is  not,  at 
this  time,  ever  brought  to  the  States,  from  New 
Spain.  Whilst  mules  were  an  object  of  trade,  the 
traders  met  with  many  mishaps.     Whole  droves  of 


If 


"wwm 


'216 


T  HE     I-  O  S  T     T  R  A  1'  P  K  P.  S 


nmles,  numbering  from  tliree  to  five  huiulred,  were 
sometimes  lost.     Cattle  are  preferred  to  mules  for 
another  reason.     They  are  stronger  than  mules,  and 
can  stand  the  heat  as  well.     A  duty  of  one  hundred 
dollars  is  to  be  paid  in  Santa  Fe,  on  every  wagon, 
without  any  reference  to  the  size  and  the  amount  of 
goods.     To  take  the  advantage  of  this  regulation, 
the  traders  have  \vagon9  made  tha*  will  contain 
seventy  or  eighty  hundred  weight,  with  very  wide 
tire.     Oxen  are  better  adapted,  by  their  superior 
strength,  to  draw  such  heavy  wagons,  than  mules. 
When  the  expedition   approaches   Santa  Fe,   the 
freight  of  three  wagons  is  put  into   one,  and   the 
empty  wagons  arj  destroyed  by  fire,  to  prevent  their 
falling  into  the  hands  of  Indians.     In  this  way,  the 
traders  manage  to  avoid  paying  a  great  deal  of  duty. 
When  they  have   sold  their   goods,  they  also    sell 
their  ieams  at  a  very  fair  price.     One  of  these 
Santa  Fe  traders  will  buy  up   from  eighty  to  one 
hundred  pair  of   oxen   every  spring  for  his   trip. 
From  this  it  will  be  very  readily  inferred  that  there 
is  quite  a  demand  for  oxen  in  Missouri,  at  least 
once  a  year.     Gold  and  silver  being  the  articles  for 
which  the  traders  exchange  their  goods,  our  citizens 
are  required  by  the  authorities  of  Santa  Fe  to  pay  a 
heavy  duty  on  the  preci<ms  metals  they  take  out  of 
that  country.     To  avoid  paying  this  tax,  they  have 
large  false  axle-trees  to  the  wagons,  in  which  they 
convey  their  money  back  to  the  States,  which  are 
excavated,  and  in  which  the  precious  metals  are 
concealed.     When  the  proper  officer  examines  the 
contents  of  the  wagons,  he  is  perfectly  unconscious 


m 


Til  K     I,  O.ST     T  R  A  I'  I'  K  R  S 


217 


luiidrccl,  were 
1  to  inulea  for 
an  mulen,  and 
f  one  hundred 
every  wagon, 
he  amount  of 
lis  regulation, 

will  contain 
ith  very  wide 
their  superior 
a,  than  mules. 
>anta  Fe,   the 

one,  and  the 
)  prevent  their 
I  this  way,  the 
it  deal  ol"  duty, 
they  also  sell 
One   of  these 

eighty  to  one 
;  for  his  trip, 
rred  that  there 
isouri,  at  least 
the  articles  for 
ds,  our  citizens 
ita  Fe  to  pay  a 
ley  take  out  of 
tax,  tbey  have 

in  which  they 
ates,  which  are 
us  metals  an; 
r  examines  the 
ly  unconscious 


of  th(^  artifice.  A  great  dcil  ofL-apita!  is  invested 
ill  this  trade.  Some  expeditions  return  to  the 
State  with  fifty  and  as  iiiucli  sometimes  as  one 
iiundred  thousand  dollars.  13y  thi.s  means  a  great 
deal  of  Mexiean  eoin  is  broiiglit  to  this  eountry. 

During  the  first  few  years  of  this  trade,  indeed 
until  very  recently,  the  liidiaiis  between  Missouri 
and  iSaiila  Fe  were  very  froublesoine,  particidarly 
the  CaiUi'uiches.  'J'he  ('()iii])aiiies  generally  keep 
some  cannon  buried  (in  the  Big  Arkansas,  wher(! 
the  danger  begins,  and  when  they  reach  tli»re  they 
take  them  up  and  convey  th«'m  thr.tugh  the  dan- 
gerous country,  and  (hen  bury  them  again  until 
they  return.  The  caravans  leave  independence 
in  the  spring,  and,  if  they  go  no  farther  than  8anta 
Fe,  they  return  the  following  autumn,  but,  if  they 
go  on  to  Chihuahua,  which  is  five  hundred  miles 
beyond  Santa  Fe,  they  are  absent  a  year.  Heavy 
capitalists  now  generally  go  on  to  Chihuahua. 

As  there  is  nothing  else  to  induce  ojr  citizens  to 
go  to  that  country,  but  its  precious  metals,  very  few 
of  them  take  up  thr'ir  residence  there  for  life.  The 
regular  traders  who  have  families  leave  them  in 
iMissouri,  and  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  see  one  of  our 
female  citizens  in  a  company  going  to  Santa  Fe. 
A  German  who  was  going  to  Sjinta  F'e  to  become  a 
resident  in  that  country,  is  said  to  have  had  a 
great  deal  of  trouble  in  consequence  of  his  having 
a  wife  with  him.  She  was  perhaps  the  first  white 
woman  that  ever  passed  through  that  country 
(and  for  any  thing  that  I  know,  she  was  the 
last),  and  when  she  was  seen  by  the  savages,  their 
19 


218 


TIIK     LOST     TRAl'lT,  RS 


curiosity  could  scare,  ly  be  repressed.     They  gazed 
upon   her  beautiful  white  face  witli  astojiishment. 
They  wanted   the   privile^-c  (that  is,  some   of  the 
principal  chiefs)  of  riding  with  her  in  the  convey- 
ance in  which  she  was  seated,  and  some  even  Ibl- 
lowed  the  train  of  wagons  for  two  or  three  days, 
8imi)ly  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  gazing  upon  her. 
One  of  the  Indians,  a  Camanche  chief,  expressed  a 
wish  to  buy  her,  and  oll'ered  her  husband  two  /nif- 
f(i/o  xkins,  which  the  savage   thought  a  very  fair 
price  for  a  wife.     It  is  hardly  n»!cessary  to   .-itato 
that  the  German  had  a  very  dillerent  notion  about 
the  value  of  a  wife,  and  declined  the  oiler  of  the 
Camanche  chief.     It  is  said  that  his  mind  experi- 
enced many  anxious  fesvrs,  lest  Ik;  might  lose  his 
"  better  half,"  and  he  declared  that  if  he  succeeded 
in  getting   to  Santa  Fe   with  his   wife,  he   never 
would  again  run  the  like  risk  of  losing  her,  or  put 
himself  in  a  situation   where  he   would   again  be 
taunted  with  two  buflalo  skins. 

The  Santa  Fc  trade  is  not  now  as  sure  a  road  to 
wealth  as  it  wns  some  years  ago.  There  are  too 
many  engaged  iu  it.  Competition  has  reduced  the 
price  of  goods,  and  the  Spaniards  themselves  have 
recently  engaged  in  it,  and  it  is  now  somewhat 
overdone.  Such  is  a  brief  account  of  a  tra^e  that 
has  made  many  of  our  enterprising  citizeiia  very 
wealthy,  and  caused  the  precious  metal3*©Pcircu- 
late  in  great  abundance  in  this  country.       ^ 


-:3fc. 


Thoy  gazecl! 
astonii^litnt'nt. 
,  sorno  of  the 
n  the  convcy- 
MJino  even  Ibl- 
or  three  days, 
iiig  upon  her. 
vi\  expressed  u 
sband  two  Imf- 
ht  a  very  fair 
essary  to  dtato 
It  notion  about 
lie  oiler  of  the 
is  mind  experi- 
might  h)sc  hirf 
if  he  Hiieceeded 
wife,  he  never 
ing  luT,  or  put 
I'ould   again  be 

s  sure  a  road  to 
Tliere  are  too 
lias  reduced  the 
hemselves  have 
now  somewhat 
of  a  trade  that 
ig  citizens  very 
metais^WPcircu- 
11  try. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Fur  trade— The  fate  of  tho  Tonquin. 

As  the  ti-affic  in  furs  is  a  pursuit  which  has  taken 
many  of  our  citizens  beyond  the  boundaries  of  the 
states,  and  prompted  them  to  penetrate  the  vast 
wilderness  between  the  states  and  the  Pacific,  and 
to  explore  regions  that,  but  for  the  efforts  of  these 
early  adventurers,  must  have  remained  perhaps 
until  thi.s  day  a  <cr/ff  inconnitn,  whose  beauty,  gran- 
deur, and  fertility  there  was  no  one  to  admire  but 
the  uncultivated  savage  ;  and  as  these  adventurers 
acted  the  part  of  precursors  as  well  as  trappers, 
and  went  in  advance  of  civilization,  and  discovered 
countries  now  occupied  by  the  agriculturalists  and 
mechanics,  we  propose  giving  the  reader  a  succinct 
account  of  the  fur  trade,  and  some  interesting 
facts  connected  with  it. 

The  French,  who  settled  on  the  banks  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  were  among  the  first  who  engaged  in 
this  1^|de  on  a  plan  somewhat  extensive,  and  they 
seein^BWiave  been  the  first  to  discover  the  vast 
sour^Wof  wealth  that  were  to  be  found  in  the  rich 
peltriel  of  the  western  wilderness.  They  pro- 
cured large  quantities  of  the  most  valuable  furs 
from  the  natives,  by  gSlRng  them  in  exchange  little 
trinkets  that  were  of  very  little  value,  and  in  this 

(319) 


890 


THE     I.  n  S  T     TRAPPERS 


t  -'in 


■way  roaliztHl  vast  profits.  Wlicn  the  Frrnch  lost 
possession  of  ('aiuulii,  tlir  truilr  Ifll  into  t.h(^  hands 
of  British  suhjrcts,  when  i)  contracted  to  very 
narrow  limits  and  seemed  to  labor  with  difiicultiea. 
About  tour  years  afterwards  it  seemed  to  expand 
asain,and  was  pushed  on  by  an  additional  number 
of  enterprising  merchants,  wlio  enlarged  the  field 
of  their  operations,  and  penetrated  deeper  into  the 
wilderness. 

The  field  of  adventure  in  this  trade  continued  to 
enlarge  in  the  course  of  time,  until  it  covered  the 
great  chain  of  Lakes,  the  sources  of  the  Mississippi 
and  the  Missouri,  the  sources  of  the  Columbia  and 
Colorado,  and  even  reached  within  the  arctic  circle. 
A  field  of  enterprise  so  wide,  and  abounding  in 
Buch  vast  treasures  of  hidden  wealth,  would  natu- 
rally call  into  .jxi-tviice  a  great  many  companies. 
The  first  company  that  was  formed  was  the  Hud- 
son Bay  company,  which  was  chartered  in  HitiO  or 
1670,  by  Charles  the  second,  who  granted  to  said 
company  the  exclusive  privilege  of  establishing 
trading  posts  on  the  shores  and  the  tributary 
waters  of  that  bay. 

After  enjoying  almost  uninterrupted  control  of 
the  trade  for  several  years,  this  company  found  a 
rival  in  an  association  of  several  wealthy  ift^ttish 
gentlemen,   (merchants),  who   had   estE '' 
trading  post  at  Michilimackinac,  which  bee? 
centre  of  the  trade  extending  from  lake  Suj 
the  upper  Mississippi,  and  to  lake  Winnepeg. 
evils  arising  from  the  compilation  of  trade,  brought 
the  two  companies  together  under  the  name  of  the 


m 


•cMliiiM* 


('  Frrnch  lost 
nto  t.h(^  handri 
I'tod  to  very 
ith  (lifiicultica. 
K'd  to  expand 
tional  number 
r^ed  the  field 
leeper  into  the 

e  continued  to 
it  covered  the 
he  Misniscippr 
Columbia  and 
e  arctic  circle. 

abounding  in 
1,  would  natu- 
ny  companiea. 
was  the  Hud- 
!red  in  U>t)9  or 
ranted  to  said 
if   establishing 

the    tributary 

ited  control  of 

iipany  Ibund  a 

ealthy  iB^ttiah 

ests 

ich  becl 
ike  Su[ 
innepeg. 
"  trade,  brought 
lie  name  of  the 


Til  K      I,  OST     T  R  A  r  I'KRS 


221 


rS'ortli-wi'8t  company.  After  this,  as  the  trade  in- 
ert ased,  one  company  after  another  sprang  up,  until 
at  diHerent  times  there  have  been  eight  or  ten  dif- 
ferent companies,  the  namen  of  which  we  will  give. 
We  have  mentioned  th(!  lludsqn  Bay  Company, 
afterwards  called  the  Morth-vvest  Company ;  the 
Mackinaw  Company;  the  American  Fur  Company  ; 
the  Pccilic  Fur  Company;  Missouri  Fur  Company; 
the  Rocky  Mountain  Fur  Company,  and  several 
others.  It  is  not  our  purj)Ose  to  furnish  a  history 
of  each  one  of  those  companies,  the  name  of  which 
we  have  given,  but  simply  to  state  some  facts  in  re- 
lation to  that  trade,  which  we  think  will  be  interest- 
ing. The  Rocky  Mountains  embrace  the  region  in 
which  this  trade  at  this  time  is  more  particularly 
going  on.  It  is  about  the  streams  and  lakes  in  that 
vast  wilderness,  more  than  any  where  else,  that  the 
adventurous  trapper  is  to  be  seen  passing  away  his 
solitary  tlays,  and  intensely  engaged  in  his  efforts 
to  take  the  beaver. 

The  first  company  that  attempted  to  establish  a 
trading  post  on  the  waters  of  the  Columbia  was 
the  Missouri  Fur  Company,  formed  at  St.  Louis  in 
1808,  at  the  head  of  which  was  Manuel  Lisa,  a 
Spaniard.  He  estabhshed  posts  on  the  Upper  Mis- 
souri,iiand  one  on  Lewis  river,  the  south  branch  of 
the  Gd^unbia.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  first 
post  established  by  white  men  in  the  country  drained 
by  the  Columbia  ;  but  the  enmity  of  the  Indians 
and  scarcity  of  food  caused  it  to  be  abandoned  by 
Mr.  Henry  in  1810.     * 

In  this  same  year  1810,  Mr.  Aster  of  New  York 


.* 


999 


Til  K     LOST     T  R  A  I'  I'  K  R  S  . 


eiiKJiKt'd  in  the  hold  hc^Ihmti*-  of  estalilisliinia;  a  niiiu- 
ber  of  tmdiniL;  po^tn  on  tin*  Coluinbiu  atitl  its  tiilm- 
tarien,  and  alonj,'  tlic  ahoreri  of  the  I'ucilic,  and  tho 
hcad-vvatci-rt  of  tho  Mirtnouri,  with  a  factory  at  tlit; 
moutli  of  llif  Coluiuhia.  His  |ilan  was  to  M'nd 
goods  from  Xvw  York  hy  hvh  to  this  factory  to  ho 
exchanged  for  turn,  which  he  intended  to  have  con- 
veyed to  China,  and  brinj?  hack  the  silkrt  and  tean 
of  that  country  to  New  York.  In  this  magnilicent 
scheme,  Mr.  Astor  had  aHsocialed  with  him,  four 
gentlemen,  under  the  Hrm  of  tlie  Pacific  Fur  Com- 
pany. Another  |)art  of  his  plan  was,  to  .send  an 
expedition  overland  up  the  Missouri,  dewtined  also 
for  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia.  The  object  of  tho 
land  expedition  was  to  open  a  communication 
through  the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  gather  all  neces- 
sary information  altout  the  country,  and  to  plant 
trading  posts  along  the  route. 

"We  have  said  that  Mr.  Astor'j  plan  was  to  for- 
ward all  necessary  supplies  by  sea  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Golimbia.  In  the  execution  of  this  plan,  he;  fit- 
ted out  a  large  vessel  called  the  Ton(iuin,  with  men, 
guns,  and  every  thing  that  might  be  needed  at  his 
posts  on  the  Pacific  and  the  Columbia.  This  vessel 
was  committed  to  the  hands  of  a  Captain  Thorn, 
a  man  who  may  have  known  how  to  manage  a 
ship,  but  he  certainly  did  not  know  how  to  manage 
savages,  to  the  best  advantage,  or  at  least  for  his 
own  good.  It  has  always  been  found  to  be  good 
policy  to  treat  them  kindly,  and  not  to  regard  them 
as  civilized  i)eings,  who  may  be  expected  in  all  in- 
stances to  do  that  which  is  right.     The  observance 


f' 


^n 


isliing  a  niiin- 
i  iirul  lU  trilm- 
acilic,  and  the 
factory  at  tlui 

wart  to  M'i\d 
i<  factory  to  ho 
(I  to  hav«!  con- 

silkrt  and  teas 
is  iiia^iiilicciit 
kvith  him,  four 
cihc  P'ur  Coin- 
is,  to  send  an 
,  destined  also 
e  ohject  of  the 
;ominunication 
ther  all  neces- 
,  and  to  plant 

an  was  to  for- 
I  the  mouth  of 
lis  plan,  h(!  lit- 
juin,  with  men, 
I  needed  at  his 
I.  This  vessel 
Japt.'vin  Thorn, 
to  manage  a 
lovv  to  manage 
at  least  for  his 
und  to  be  good 
to  regard  them 
>ected  in  all  in- 
rhe  observance 


•r  ir  K    LOST    r  k  \  v  r  i;  R  s 


223 


of  this  kind  of  policy  lias  oflcii    prevented  dillicul- 
ties,  that  wouhl,  in  all  pml'ahility,  have  resulted  in 
very  serious  conse(|uences.      It  seeiMs  to  have  been 
the  misfortune   of  tht;  captain  of  llm  Toiupiin.  that 
he  was  of  a    jjcluiant   disposition,  and  rou;,'h  and 
sl»'rn  in  his  manners.     11«!  was  very  impatient  un- 
der any  provocation,  and  it  wouhl  seem  conciised 
not  only  a-i  unfavorable  opinion,  but  a  sovereign 
contempt  for  his  crew,  whidi  were  not  t)f  the  kind 
of  materials  that  he  admired,  or  would  hiniself  have 
selected  ft)r  the  voyage.     Entertaining  this  opinion, 
his   suspicious  disposition    made  every  thing  foster 
it.     The   relations    between   the  splenetic  captain 
and  his  men  being  of  a  very  unpleasant  character, 
their  trip  was  by  no  means  a  pleasant  one.     After 
a  voyage   of  five  months,  Mr.  Astor's  ship  reached 
the  mouth   of  the  Columbia.     And   if  tlie  captain 
had  his  trials  before  he  reached  that  point,  his  little 
Htock  of  patience  was  nowdoomtulto  be  exlmusted. 
The  mouth  of  the   Columbia,  according  to  all  ac- 
counts, must  bear  a  very  frightful  aspect,  and  as  it  is 
said  to  have  extensive  sand-bars,  its  entrance  must 
ever  be  very  difficult  and  dangerous  ;    a  fact  that 
will  always  duninish  the  value  of  that  river  in  a 
commercial  point  of  view.     There  seems  to  be  vast 
bodies  of  sand  about  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia, 
that  are  brought  down  by  its  current,  and  accur.iu- 
iate   at   its  communication  with  the    ocean.     The 
constant  swelling  of  the  sea,  tends  to  throw  it  back, 
and  thus  it  becomes  an  obstruction  tnat  must  ever 
be  in  the  way  of  vessels  that  would  enter  that  river. 
The  Tonquin  met  with  delay,  difficulties,  and  dis- 


I' 


miS~\ 


■-sm:^^s:»i^mv-  !)«;■■■  jg".;^.  .'.j  ■,'|'-j."1"'^i  ' 


Til  K      l.fiST      I   K  A  IT  !■;  HH  , 


astPi'M,  wIkm)  slir  M-iiclird  tli<>  iiioutli  ol'tlK^  Coliinihia. 
From  Hhoi't*  to  pliorir  tlicir  wiis  ;i  wild  coiiluHion  of 
an^ry  waveH,  WiHlird  liy  llirir  colliHion  into  tumul- 
tuous u|)roar,  tliiit  Hpiriid  rciir  llii'ou;;li  ihv  liciirts 
of  all  tlic  crew.  Tlif  'l'oiii|uiii  ntood  out,  aloof  from 
the  daii^or  tliut  vvuh  before  her,  for  Heverul  nighttt 
and  davH. 

Ill  the  ineantimp,  the  authoritative  captain  sent 
out  a  boat,  under  circuinstaiieert  that  seemed  almont 
to  insure  its  loss.  His  eonduct  seems  to  have  been 
not  only  very  reprehensible,  but  even  cruel.  Four 
of  his  men  were  ordered  out  in  a  whale  boat,  to 
ascertain  the  channel,  and  t«)  examine  the  bar. 
The  poor  fellows  submissively  entered  the  boat, 
but  they  cast  a  look  upon  the  Tonquin,  accom- 
panied with  tears  in  their  eyes,  a»  they  left  her, 
that  showed  that  they  felt  they  were  goin>?  to  a 
watery  grave.  The  mouth  of  this  river  is  upwards 
of  four  miles  wide,  and  at  that  time,  an  angry  sen 
lashed  into  rage  by  a  strong  north-west  wind,  was 
throwing  its  white  foam  and  surges  against  the 
shore,  and  across  the  mouth  of  the  river.  It  was 
not  long  before  the  Tonijuin  lost  siglit  of  the 
doomed  boat  in  the  tumult  of  angry  waters.  A 
dark,  tempestuous  night  ensued,  and  this  authorised 
the  men  in  the  Toncpiin  to  indulg«i  in  the  ifiost  pain- 
ful anxiety  and  fears  al>out  the  fate  of  the  whale 
boat.  The  next  day  another  small  boat  was  sent 
to  hunt  the  channel,  as  well  as  to  look  for  the  miss- 
ing boat.  The  fate  of  this  boat  was  nearly  as  sad 
as  that  of  the  first,  as  it  was  capsized  near  the 
shore,  and  but  two  of  the  crew  made  their  escape. 


Til  E     I.I)  HT    TR  A  I' 1' I,  R  S  . 


L'oliinihia. 
il'iiHion  of 
jto  tiimul- 
iIk-  liciirtH 
I  loot'  from 
ral  nighto 

|)tain  sent 
icd  almost 
huv«'.  been 
lel.  Four 
e  boat,  to 

the    bar. 

tlie  boat, 
n,  aecom- 
:  left  her, 
oiii^i;  to  u 
:!  ii|)wai'(Jrt 
angry  sea 
A^iiKl,  was 
j;aiiirit  the 
p.  It  was 
lit  of  the 
Miteiv.  A 
iiuthorised 
iMOHt  paiu- 
the  vvhalo 
;  was  sent 
rthe  mirts- 
rly  as  sad 

near  the 
}ir  escape. 


The  whal"  boat  was  no  doubt  h)st,  as  no  account 
could  be  had  of  it;  thus,  eixht  or  ten  of  the  crew 
of  the  Tonciuin  were  lost  before  slu;  found  shelter 
from  the  storm.  It  is  due  to  Captain  Thorn,  to  say, 
that  when  he  landed,  he  caused  a  diligent  search  to 
be  made  along  the  shore  for  the  men  that  wevo  ab- 
sent, but  they  could  not  be  found. 

As  this  aceouiit  of  Mr.  Astor's  enterprise  in  the 
fur  trade  is  only  intended  to  be  a  hasty  sketch,  >.e 
would  state  that  the  crew  stiected  a  site  for  a  tra- 
ding post,  and  that  all  hands  went  to  work  to  erect 
the  necessary  buildings  ;   when  these  were  put  up, 
the  Ton(|uin  was  relieved  of  her  cargo,  and  Captain 
Thorn,  in  compliance  with  his  orders,  put  out  into 
the  I'aciHc,  to  coast  to  tlie  north.     By  the  way,  an 
Indian  interpreter  was  picked  up  by  the  Tonquin, 
to  aid  them  in  their  intercourse  with  the  savages 
along  the  coast.      This   interpreter  was   well   ac- 
quainted with  the  various  tribes  with  whom  the 
ship  was  likely  to  meet,  and  when   she  reached 
Vancouver's   Island,   he   informed   Captain  Thorn, 
that  that  part  of  the  coast  was  infested  with  a  very 
treacherous   a!id  uncertain  tribe,  m  whose  profes- 
sions of  friendship  no  confidence  could  be  reposed 
with   safety.     Hut  the  captain  was  a  man  of  his 
own  head,  and  did  things  in  his  own  way.      He 
landed  at  said  island,  where  he  was  received  with 
great   ajjparent   friendship,   by  the    savages,   who 
manifested  a  readiness  to  trade  by  bringing  their 
peltries.     Captain  Thorn,  expecting  a  prompt  and 
ready   sale,  soon   made   quite   a   display   of  that 
variety  of  notions  and  trinkets  that  is  sure  to  take 


"■■,:;r  V  ',' 


I 


226 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS, 


;t 


the  eye  of  the  savage.  He  seems  to  have  calcu- 
lated, too,  upon  getting  their  peltries  at  a  very  re- 
duced price  ;  but  the  natives  had  dealt  with  other 
vessels  trading  along  the  coast,  and  had  gained 
some  tolerably  correct  idea  of  the  value  of  their 
furs.  When  Captain  Thorn  learned  their  prices,  he 
treated  them  and  their  skins  with  contempt,  and 
withdrew  from  them,  much  fretted  and  vexed.  But 
he  could  not  escape  the  importunities  of  the  sav- 
ages, who,  perhaps  had  not  as  yet,  conceived  any 
bad  designs  against  the  crew  and  the  ship.  It  ia 
said,  that  among  the  savtiges  there  was  an  old 
chief  who  followed  the  captain  to  and  fro,  taunt- 
ing him  with  his  mvan  offers  ;  holding  out  at  the 
same  time  a  sample  of  his  skins,  to  tempt  him  to 
buy.  This  was  more  than  the  patience  of  the 
vexed  captain  could  stand.  He  snatched  the  skin 
from  the  hands  of  the  chief,  rubbed  i^  in  his  face, 
and  then  ki<iked  him  overboard.  He  then  in  a  \  ery 
rash  mannev,  cleared  the  deck  of  skins  and  savagt,s. 
The  badly  treated  old  chief,  who,  by  his  fall  in  the 
water,  had  been  completely  submerged,  came  again 
to  the  surface,  and  paddled  his  way  in  a  dreadful 
rage  to  the  shore,  from  wui»"h,  as  he  cast  his  eyes 
upon  the  Tonquin,  he  seemed  to  mean  to  say,  "  I'll 
have  revenge."  And  revenge  he  secured,  as  the 
sequel  will  show. 

Some  of  tho  crew,  who  were  better  acquainted 
with  Indian  character  than  the  captain,  assured 
him,  the  natives  ..ould  resent  the  indignity  offered 
their  chief,  and  that  it  would  be  very  unsafe  to  re- 
main there.     The  Indian  interpreter  also,  added 


I 


-i-HHH   IJ»»IJiM«iiii.HL>ipWJ  -I  >»u.ia»mWiji'WH 


THE     LOST    TRAPPERS 


227 


have  calcu- 
at  a  very  re- 
lit with  other 
I  had  gained 
aiue  of  their 
icir  prices,  he 
ontempt,  and 
i  vexed.  But 
3  of  the  sav- 
onceived  any 
le  ship.  It  is 
was  an  old 
nd  fro,  taunt- 
ig  out  at  the 
tempt  him  to 
tience  of  the 
ched  the  skin 
it  in  his  face, 
then  in  a  \  ery 
J  and  savagt,s. 
[lis  fall  in  the 
d,  came  again 
in  a  dreadful 
cast  his  eyes 
n  to  say,  "  I'll 
jcured,  as  the 

er  acquainted 
:;tain,  assured 
lignity  offered 
'  unsafe  to  re- 
sr  also,  added 


his  testimony  to  confirm  the  above  opinion.  But 
a  parcel  of  naked  savages  were  no  terror  to  his 
mind, nor  wa^s  lie  a  man  to  confess  that  any  difficulty 
could  be  brought  about,  by  indiscretion  on  his  part, 
for  he  was  not  willing  to  acknowledge  any  indis- 
cretion. On  the  next  day,  some  of  the  savages, 
very  early  in  the  morning  made  their  appearance, 
and  came  along  side  of  the  Tonquin,  in  a  canoe, 
making  signs  of  friendship,  and  manifesting  a 
desire  to  trade. 

As  punctilious  to  a  lault  aa  the  captain  was  in 
strictly  observing  the  instructions  of  Mr.  Astor,  in 
other  things,  he  here  failed  to  do  as  his  employer 
had  advised  him,  and  that  was,  to  treat  the  natives 
kindly,  and  not  to  suffer  too  many,  at  a  time,  to  go 
aboard  of  his  ship.  This  precaution  seems  to  have 
escaped  the  mind  of  the  very  scrupulous  captain,  as 
these  Indians,  notwithstanding  the  occurrence,  were 
permitted  to  mour",  the  deck.  Indeed  there  seems 
to  have  been  no  restraint  of  this  kind  practised,  as 
one  company  after  another,  as  they  came  in  their 
canoes,  enjoyed  the  same  unsafe  privilege,  and  in 
the  space  of  an  hour,  the  Tonquin  was  completely 
surrounded  with  canoes  full  of  Indians,  and  the  deck 
was  crowded.  The  interpreter,  who,  being  an  In- 
■'aan  himself,  and  knowing  the  perfidy  of  this  tribe, 
manifested  great  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  the  ship, 
and  informed  the  captain  that  the  greater  part  of  the 
savages  wore  short  mantles  of  skins,  under  which 
it  was  customary  to  cohceal  their  arms.  This  sug- 
gestion met  with  no  better  reception  from  the  cap- 
tain, than  the  advice  that  was  given  at  other  times. 


S38 


Tlir    LOST     TRAPPERS 


But  the  crowd  of  canoes  and  Indian-s  became  so 
dense  that  he,  at  last,  but  when  it  was  too  late, 
became  alarmed,  and  gave  orders  to  push  out  from 
shore.  The  Indians,  as  the  ship  was  about  to  de- 
part, now  intimated,  that  they  would  let  the  captain 
have  their  furs  at  his  own  price,  and  a  brisk  trade 
commenced.  But  tliey  all  wanted  knives  for  their 
skins,  and  as  fast  as  one  party  was  supplied,  another 
came  forward.  Every  thing  that  occurred  on  this 
occasion,  in  the  view  of  men  at  all  acquainted  with 
hidian  character,  was  calculated  to  prove  that  these 
savages  had  some  hostile  scheme  on  foot. 

And  yet,  mirabUc  dktu,  it  seems,  nothing  of  this 
kind  entered  the  mind  of  the  captain,  until  he  was 
completely  in    their  clutches.     In  the  space  of  an 
hour's  Uading,  almost  every  Indian   had  supplied 
himself  with  a  knife.     The  number  of  the  crew  did 
not  exceed  twenty-five  or  thirty;  whilst  the  Indians 
numbered  several  hundred  on  the  ship  and  on  the 
shore.     Having  thus  successlV'.ly  armed  themselves, 
the  Indians  had,  in  this,  accomplished  one  import- 
ant part  of  their  plan,  and  were  ready  for  the  work 
of  vengeance.     In  a  moment  a  yell  was  raised  in 
one  part  of  the  deck,  and  was  iii  an  instant  respon- 
ded to  in  every  other  part.     Knives  and  war  clubs 
wer.j   r.ivvseen  in   the  hands  of  the  Indians,  who 
nbihc!)  niton  the  crew.     This  melancholy  alfair  is 
giuplii  :ailv  deseril)ed  in  Irvings  Astoria,  in  the  fol- 
lowing language.    "The  first  that  fell,  was  Mv. 
Lewis,  the  ship's  clerk.     He  was  leaning,  with  fol- 
ded arms,  over  a  bale  of  blankets,  engaged  in  bar- 
gaining, when  he  received  a  deadly  stab  in  the  back. 


il»llimil»WtllWIMI|lj".»'M  lllf.pt  JNl  I 


THE    LOST    TRAPPERS. 


220 


n>3  became  so 
was  too  late, 
push  out  from 
iri  about  to  de- 
let  the  captain 
1  a  brirtk  trade 
nives  for  their 
pplied,  another 
icurred  on  this 
cquainted  with 
rove  that  these 
loot. 

nothing  of  this 
1,  until  he  was 
le  space  of  an 
had  supplied 
[)f  the  crew  did 
list  the  Indians 
hip  and  on  the 
(led  themselves, 
L'd  one  iniport- 
ly  lor  the  work 
1  was  raised  in 
instant  respon- 
;  and  war  clubs 
le  Indians,  who 
iicholy  affair  is 
oria,  in  the  fol- 
t  fell,  was  ?.Ir. 
aning,  with  fol- 
ngaged  in  bar- 
;tab  in  the  back, 


and  fell  down  the  companion  way.  Mr.  Mc  Kay, 
who  was  seated  on  the  taffrail,  sprang  on  his  feet, 
but  was  instantly  knocked  down  with  a  war  club, 
and  fell  backwards  into  the  sea,  where  he  was  dis- 
patched by  the  women  in  the  canoes.  In  the 
meantime,  Captain  Thorn  made  desperate  fight 
against  fearful  odds,  lie  was  a  powerful  as  well 
as  resolute  man,  but  he  had  come  upon  deck  with- 
out weapons.  Shewish,  a  young  chief,  singled  him 
out  as  his  peculiar  prey,  and  rushed  upon  him  at 
the  first  outbreak.  The  captain  had  barely  time  to 
draw  a  clasp-knife,  with  one  blow  of  which  he  laid 
the  young  savage  dead  at  his  feet.  Several  of  the 
stoutest  followers  of  Shewish  now  set  upon  him. 
He  defended  himself  vigorously,  dealing  crippling 
blows  to  the  right  and  left,  and  strewing  the  quar- 
ter deck  with  the  slain  and  wounded.  His  object 
was,  to  fight  his  way  to  the  cabin,  where  there  were 
fire-arms  ;  but  he  was  hemmed  in  with  foes,  cov- 
ered with  wounds,  and  faint  with  loss  of  blood. 
For  an  instant  he  leaned  on  the  tiller  wheel,  when 
a  blow  from  behind  with  a  war  club,  felled  him  to 
the  deck,  where  he  was  dispatched  with  knives,  and 
thrown  overboard. 

While  this  was  transacting  upon  the  quarter 
deck,  a  chance-medley  fight  was  going  on  through- 
out the  ship.  The  crew  fought  desperately,  with 
knives,  hand-spikes,  and  whatever  weapon  they 
could  seize  upon  in  the  moment  of  surprise.  They 
were  soon,  however,  overpowered  by  numbers,  and 
mercilessly  butchered.  As  to  the  seven  who  had 
been  sent  aloft  to  make  sail,  they  contemplated 


.SSi^' 


.HWHWI' 


f 


I 


I 


! 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 

with  horror  the  carnage  that  was  going  on  below. 
Being  destitute  of  weapons,  they  let  themselves 
down  by  the  running  rigging,  in  hopes  of  getting 
between  decks.  One  fell  in  the  attempt,  and  was 
instantly  dispatched ;  another,  received  a  death 
blow,  in  his  back,  as  he  was  descending  ;  a  third, 
Stephen  VVeekes,  the  armorer,  was  mortally  wound- 
ed, as  he  was  getting  down  the  hatchway.  The 
remaining  four  made  good  their  retreat  into  the 
cabin,  where  they  found  Mr.  Lewis,  still  alive, 
though  mortally  wounded.  Barricading  the  cabin 
door,  they  broke  holes  through  the  companion-way, 
and  with  the  muskets  and  ammunition  which  were 
at  hand,  they  opened  a  brisk  fire,  that  soon  cleared 
the  deck.  Thus  far  the  Indian  interpreter,  from 
whom  these  particulars  are  derived,  had  been  an 
eye  witness  of  the  deadly  conflict.  He  had  taken 
no  part  in  it,  and  had  been  spared  by  the  natives, 
as  being  of  their  race.  In  the  confusion  of  the  mo- 
ment, he  took  refuge  with  the  rest,  in  the  canoes. 
The  survivors  of  the  crew  now  sallied  forth,  and 
discharged  some  of  the  deck-guns,  which  did  great 
execution  among  the  canoes,  and  drove  all  the 
savages  to  shore. 

For  the  remainder  of  the  day  no  one  ventured  to 
put  off  to  the  ship,  deterred  by  the  effects  of  the 
fire  arms.  The  night  passed  away  without  any 
further  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  natives.  When 
the  day  dawned,  the  Tonquin  still  lay  at  anchor  in 
the  bay,  her  sails  all  loose  and  flapping  in  the  wind, 
and  no  one  apparently  on  board  of  her.  After  a 
time,  some  of  the  canoes  ventured  forth  to  recon- 


RRS  . 

I  going  on  below. 
!y   lot   themselves 

hopes  of  getting 
attempt,  and  wna 
received  a  death 
icending  ;  a  third, 
!«  mortally  vvound- 
:  hatchway.  The 
r  retreat  into  the 
jcwis,  still  alive, 
leading  the  cabin 
e  companion-way, 
nition  which  were 

that  soon  cleared 

interpreter,  from 
ved,  had  been  an 
t.  He  had  taken 
ed  by  the  natives, 
nfusion  of  the  mo- 
jst,  in  the  canoes. 

sallied  forth,  and 
s,  which  did  great 
nd   drove   all  the 

ID  one  ventured  to 
the  eflects  of  the 
way  without  any 
e  natives.     When 

II  lay  at  anchor  in 
pping  in  the  wind, 
i  of  her.  After  a 
ed  forth  to  recon- 


T  H  E     1.  C)  .S  T     T  R  A  P  P  K  R  8  , 


231 


noitre,  taking  with  them  the  interpreter.  They 
paddled  about,  kec|)ing  cautious^ly  at  a  distance, 
but  growing  more  and  more  emboldened  at  seeing 
her  quiet  and  lifeless.  One  man,  at  length,  made 
his  appearance  on  deck,  and  was  recognised  by  the 
interpreter,  as  Lewis.  He  made  friendly  signs  and 
invited  them  on  board.  It  was  long  before  they 
ventured  to  comply.  Those  who  mounted  the  deck 
met  with  no  opposition ;  no  one  was  to  be  seen 
aboard ;  for  Mr.  Lewis,  after  inviting  them,  had 
disappeared.  Other  canoes  now  pressed  forward 
to  board  the  prize  ;  the  deck  was  soon  crowded,  and 
the  sides  covered  with  clambering  savages,  all  in- 
tent on  plunder.  In  the  midst  of  t'leir  eagerness 
and  exultation,  the  ship  blew  up  with  a  tremendous 
explosion.  Arms,  legs  and  mutilated  bodies  were 
blown  into  the  air,  and  dreac  .ul  havoc  was  made 
in  the  surrounding  canoes.  The  interpreter  was  in 
the  main  chain  at  the  time  of  the  explosion,  and 
was  thrown  unhurt  into  the  water,  where  he  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  into  one  of  the  canoes.  Accord- 
ing to  his  statement,  the  bay  presented  an  awful 
spectacle  after  the  catastrophe.  The  ship  had  dis- 
appeared, but  the  bay  was  covered  with  the  frag- 
ments of  the  wreck,  with  shattered  canoes,  and 
Indians  swimming  for  their  lives,  or  struggling  in 
the  agonies  of  death  ;  while  those  who  had  escaped 
the  danger,  remained  aghast  and  stupified,  or  made 
with  frantic  panic  for  the  shore.  Upwards  of  a 
hundred  savages  were  destroyed  by  the  explosion, 
many  more  were  shockingly  mutilated,  and  for  days 


332 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


h;1 


■  f  ,' 


afterwards  the  limbs  and  bodies  of  the  slain  were 
thrown  upon  tlm  beach. 

The  inhabitants   were  overwhelmed  with   con- 
sternation  at  the  astounding  calamity  which  had 
burst  upon  them  in  the  very  moment  of  triumph. 
The  warriors  sat  mute  and  mournful,  while  tiie 
women  filled  the  air  with  loud  lamentations.     Their 
weeping  and  wailing,  however,  was  suddenly  turned 
into  yells  of  fury  at  the  sight  of  four  unfortunate 
white    men,   brought   captive    into    their   village. 
They  had  been  driven  on  shore,  in  one  of  the  ship's 
boats,  and  taken  at  some  distance,  along  the  coa.-^t. 
The  interpreter  was  permitted  to  converse  with 
them.     They  proved  to  be  the  four  brave   fellows 
who  had  made  such  defence  from  the  cab'  ..     The 
interpreter  gathered  from  them  some  of  the  particu- 
lars  already  related.     They  told  him  further,  that, 
after  they  had  beaten  ofl'  the  enemy  and  cleared  the 
ship,  Lewis  advised  that  they  should  slip  the  cable 
and  endeavor   to  get  to   sea.     They   declined   to 
take  his  advice,  alledging  that  the   wind   set  too 
strongly  in  the  bay  and  would  drive  them  on  shore. 
They  resolve  "  as  soon  as  it  was  dark,  to  put   off 
quietly  in  the  ^  lip's  boat,  which  they  would  be  able 
to  do  unperceivcd,  and  to  coast  along  back  to  As- 
toria.    They  put  their  resolution  into  effect ;  but 
Lewis  refused  to  accompany  them,  being  disabled 
by  his  wound,  hopeless    of  escape,  and  determined 
on  a  terrible  revenge.     On  the  voyage  out,  he  had 
repeatedly  expressed  a  presentiment,  that  he  should 
die  by  his  own  hands  ;  thinking  it  highly  probable 
that  he  should  be  engaged  in  some  contest  with  the 


IIHI,  l.»H"Ul 


w^ 


T  H  E     I.  f)  S  T      r  R  A  P  P  r.  R  S  . 


'233 


the  slain  were 

ried  with  con- 
(lity  which  had 
■nt  of  triumph, 
nful,  while  the 
tations.  Their 
suddenly  turned 
»ur  unfortunate 

their  village, 
ne  of  the  ship's 
ilong  the  coa.-it. 
I  converse  with 

brave  fellows 
he  cab'  ..  The 
e  of  the  particu- 
im  further,  that, 
and  cleared  the 
d  slip  the  cable 
ley  declined  to 
3  wind  set  too 
them  on  shore, 
lark,  to  put  off 
■y  would  be  able 
•ng  bacii  to  As- 
into  effect ;  but 
I,  being  disabled 
and  determined 
age  out,  he  had 
t,  that  he  should 
highly  probable 
contest  with  the 


natives,  and  being  resolved,  in  case  of  extremity,  to 
commit  suicide,  rather  than  be  made  a  prisoner.  He 
now  declared  hi.s  intention  to  remain  on  board  of 
the  ship  until  daylight,  to  decoy  as  many  of  the  sav- 
ages on  board  as  possible,  then  to  set  fire  to  the 
powder  magazine,  and  terminate  his  life  by  a  sig- 
nal act  of  vengeance.  Llowwell  he  succeeded  has 
been  shown.  Hi.s  companions  bade  him  a  melan- 
choly adieu,  and  set  olfon  their  precarious  expedi- 
tion. They  strove  with  might  and  main  to  get  out 
of  the  bay,  but  found  it  impossible  to  weather  a 
point  of  land,  and  were  at  length  compelled  to  take 
shelter  in  a  small  cove,  where  they  hoped  to  remain 
concealed,  until  the  wind  should  be  more  favorable. 
Exhausted  by  fatigue  and  watching,  they  fell  into  a 
sound  sleep,  and  in  that  state  w^ere  surprised  by  the 
natives.  IJetter  had  it  been  for  those  unfortunate 
men  had  they  remained  with  Lewis,  and  shared  his 
heroic  death :  as  it  was,  they  perished  in  a  more 
painful  and  protracted  manner,  being  sacrificed  by 
the  natives  to  the  manes  of  their  friends,  with  all  the 
lingering  tortures  of  savage  cruelty.  Sometime  after 
their  death,  the  interpreter,  who  had  remained  a  kind 
of  prisoner  at  large,  effected  his  escape,  and  brought 
the  tragical  tidings  to  Astoria."  Such  was  the 
fate,  and  such  is  the  melancholy  story  of  the  Ton- 
quin.  We  have  been  somewhat  minute  in  our  de- 
tails as  regards  this  part  of  Mr.  Astor's  enterprise, 
because  we  regard  the  fate  of  his  ship  as  the  most 
tragical  event  belonging  to  the  Rocky  Mountain  fur- 
trade.  For  a  fuller  and  more  accurate  account  of 
Mr.  Astor's  herculean  enterprise,  which  failed,  by  his 
20 


•  'M't--tSMiiig'ggSWWI'W*"i  II  -^1! !:  '  .-I  "If- 


234 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS. 


trading  post  or  factory  falling  into  tlio  hanilrt  of  the 
English,  during  the  lato  war,  we  refer  the  reader  to 
Irving'a  Astoria,  a  l)<)ok,  whieh  is  certainly  one  of 
the  best  of  the  many  valuable  productions  of  the 
popular  author,  Washington  h-ving. 

After  the  return  of  peace,  and  when  the  trading 
post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  was  surrendered, 
Mr.  Astor  sought  to  renew  his  enterprise,  and  to 
start  it  afresh;  hut  he  was  not  successful  in  securing 
the  fostering  aid  of  the  general   government,  and 
the  factory  at  Astoria  was  transferred  to  Vancouver. 
The    Hudson  Bay  Company  enjoyed  a  perfect  mo- 
nopoly and  had  the  uninterrupted  sway  over  all  the 
country  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  until  1823, 
when  Mr.  Ashley  made  a  successful  expedition  be- 
yond the  mountains  ;  and  in  1H2«  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tain Fur  Company  of  St.  Louis  commenced  regular 
expeditions     >  the  borders  of  the  Columbia  and  Col- 
orado.    The  American  Fur  Company  then  extended 
their  operations.      Through    all  the  intermediate 
country,  also,  that   is,  on  the  waters  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, Missouri,  Yellow  Stone,  Platte,  Arkansas,  «Sr.c. 
the  various  fur  companies  are  carrying  on  their  op- 
erations.    Each  company   has  a  number  of  men 
(trappers,)  in  their  employment,  whose  services  are 
engaged  at   a  fixed  price,  by  the  year.     There  is 
also   another  class  of  men,    who   are   called   free 
trappers,  from  the  fact,  that  they  are  not  hired  by 
the  year,  but  whilst  they  enjoy  the  protection  of  the 
company,  they  sell  the  peltries  they  obtain  to  said 
company. 

In  the  mountains,  these  companies   have  their 


■I  \ 


s . 

he  hamlrt  of  the 
iT  the  reader  to 
ertainly  one  of 
Juctions  of  tlie 

hen  the  trading 
vas  surrendered, 
terprise,  and  to 
nful  in  securing 
overnment,  and 
d  to  Vancouver. 
J  a  perfect  mo- 
vay  over  all  the 
ins,  until  1823, 
1  expedition  bc- 
he  Rocky  Moun- 
imenced  regular 
lumbia  and  Col- 
ly  then  extended 
he  intermediate 
•rt  of  the  Missis- 
^  Arkansas,  &.c. 
ing  on  their  op- 
number  of  men 
ose  services  are 
year.  There  is 
are  called  free 
arc  not  hired  by 
protection  of  the 
y  obtain  to  said 

nies   have  their 


-w 


■.«ii  'nm  ■■■ 


*«P^pW«fIPW|W«" 


T  II  K     LOST     T  R  A  r  I'  E  R  S  , 


235 


fixed  places  for  their  yearly  rendezvous,  where  the 
scattered  trappers  come  in  from  every  quarter, 
bringing  their  furs,  which  they  may  have  procured 
the  past  trapping  season.  At  these  places  they  are 
met  by  their  employers,  or  their  agents,  who  come 
from  the  states,  generally  from  St.  Louis,  with  their 
loads  of  merchandise.  It  is  an  annual  meeting, 
when  the  hired  trappers  receive  their  pay,  and  the 
free  trappers  bring  their  beavers  to  trade.  The  In- 
dians also,  come  in  from  the  country  around,  and 
are  present  to  trade.  Some  two  months  are  gene- 
rally spent  by  all  rarties  at  one  of  those  grand 
Btampadoes,  as  the  skin  of  the  beaver,  at  that  time, 
(July  and  August)  is  of  no  value,  and  the  trappers 
have  nothing  to  do.  The  scene  that  one  of  these 
yearly  rendezvous  presents  is  truly  one  that  is  sut 
generis,  and  to  a  person  that  has  witnessed  nothing 
beyond  the  dull  monotony  of  civilized  life,  very  ex- 
citing and  strange. 

After  the  brisk  trade,  that  is  usually  kept  up  for 
several  days,  the  men  are  seen  resorting  to  every 
expedient  to  pass  away  their  time  ;  such  as  shoot- 
ing, playing  cards,  horse  racing,  wrestling,  foot 
racing,  paasing  from  camp  to  camp,  cracking  their 
jokes,  and  telling  anecdotes,  and  hair-breadth  es- 
capes, dancing  and  courting  ;  courting  whom?  the 
reader  may  ask.  Why,  courting  the  young  squaws, 
who  assemble  there,  to  accomplish  tfieir  ends,  to 
wit:  by  tneir  smiles,  charms,  and  graces,  to  win 
the  hearts  of  the  trappers,  who,  in  their  view,  are  a 
superior  order  of  beings.  To  be  a  trapper's  wife, 
in  the  eye  of  a  mountain  bejle,  is  the  perfection  of 


jjliJiiRtWW-.'WHIi''!,* 


280 


THK     I.08T    TRAFPP.RS, 


!    ll 


if 


good  luck,  the  lioiKhtli  of  her  coiiuottiwh  aml)ition. 
The  reader  miiHt  not  be  surprirtcd,  when  we  use 
the  term  m/iicUish.     These  damca  of  nature,  Uke 
their  sex  in  civilized  life,  are  fon"a  of  conquests  of 
this  kind,  and  to  obtain  them,  they  paint  and  be- 
deck their  pernona,  and  flirt  about,  smile  and  look 
pretty,  and  cast  their  shy-loving  glances  on  those, 
upon  whose  hearts  they  may  desire  to  make  their 
impressions.     And  by  the  way,  let  me  tell  you,  they 
often  succeed  in  their  love  adventures,  and  can  ap- 
ply the  language  of  another,  as  to  their  undertaking, 
and  say,  vcni,  vidi,  vici.     Many  of  those  men  en- 
gaged in  the  fur  business,  indeed   a  mtyority   of 
them,  have  their  Indian  wives,  and  show  to  the 
world,  that,  if  not  in  other  things,  at  least,  in  this 
particular,  they  arc  disposed  to  revere  the  authority 
of  that  Book,  which  tells  us  "to  marry,  multiply, 
and  replenish  the  earth  ;"  and  that  they  are  firm  be- 
lievers at  least,  in  one  docttine  of  that  Book,  which 
teaches  that  "  it  is  not  good  that  man  should  be 

alone." 

Among  the  articles  of  trade,  at  these  rendezvous, 
is  a  due  supply  of  the  "  O  !  be  joyful,"  as  the  New 
Englanders  call  it,  alias,  alcohol,  which  is  said  to 
be  retailed  at  four  dollars  a  pint.  It  is  diluted 
with  water,  so  as  to  bring  it  to  the  strength  of 
whiskey.  It  is  taken  into  the  Rocky  mountains  in 
the  form  of  alcohol,  because  it  is  more  portable. 
It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say,  that  the  excitement  at 
these  rendezvous  is  greatly  increased  by  the  use  of 
thip  artificial  stimulant. 

The  principal  points  of  these  yearly  meetings  of 


„.^JUmik->.^ 


■'miiiif.miiMiiL   _iin,  iP«iB»^|iiiiii«ii!<p^4yi 


T  II  K 


,  O  N  T     T  R  A  r  !•  K  R  S  , 


ttinh  am]>ition. 

when  w«i  use 
of  nature,  like 
if  conquestrt  of 

paint  anil  bc- 
smile  and  look 
iinces  on  thone, 
!  to  make  their 
le  tell  you,  they 
cs,  and  can  ap- 
>ir  undertaking, 
those  men  en- 

a  mtyority  of 
id  show  to  the 
at  least,  in  this 
•e  the  authority 
narry,  multiply, 
hey  are  firm  be- 
iiat  Book,  which 
man  should  be 

eae  rendezvous, 
ul,"  as  the  New 
/hich  is  said  to 
It  is  diluted 
the  strength  of 
ley  mountains  in 
more  portable, 
le  excitement  at 
ed  by  the  use  of 

arly  meetings  of 


our.  trappers,  are  the  Green  (Colorado)  river  valley, 
and  I'iene's  Hole.  Here  hundreds  and  hundreds, 
of  hunters,  trappers,  traders,  and  Indians  are  assem- 
bled from  two  to  three  months.  Uefore  this  season 
of  festivity  and  idleness  comes  to  a  close,  the  men 
become  impatient,  and  desire  again  to  dash  into  the 
wilderness  and  engage  in  their  exciting  employ- 
ment. Two  trappers  generally  go  together.  The 
outfit  of  a  trapper  is  seven  traps,  a  riile  of  course, 
an  axe,  a  hatchet,  four  pounds  of  lead  and  one  of 
powder,  several  blankets,  a  knife,  an  awl,  and  a 
camp-kettle.  He  is  furnished  with  two  or  three 
horses  for  his  trip.  Each  trapping  party  takes 
some  particular  stream  and  region,  as  the  field  of 
their  operations,  to  which  they  repair,  and  where 
they  make  the  necessary  preparations  for  their  stay 
there. 

In  the  trapping  season,  these  adventurous  men 
are  scattered  all  over  the  Rocky  Mountains,  along 
every  stream,  and  about  every  lake  or  pool  of 
water,  setting  their  traps  for  their  favorite  game, 
and  in  the  midst  of  danger,  eagerly  pursuing  their 
favorite  avocation.  Men  who  have  spent  several 
years  in  this  kind  of  life,  seldom  relish  a  civilized 
life.  When  they  come  to  the  states,  they  soon  be- 
come restless  and  impatient,  and  again  seek  the 
haunts  of  the  wilderness. 

The  state  of  things  on  the  waters  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  is  somewhat  different  from  that 
in  the  mountains.  On  those  waters  our  citizens 
have  their  forts  regularly  and  safely  constructed, 
and  some  of  them  mounted  with  guns.    These  forts 


aiim*m>im'^^lfjmmgMUfif0^f  i 


HI 


t      k 


m'l 


ii 

. 

i 

. 

i 

i   : 
I 

^    • 

' 

gm ,  T  II  K     LOST     T  R  A  l>  !■  K  R  N  . 

are  constructed  in  rclV'nncci  to  the  trade  that  the 
company  expectH  to  carry  on  with   the    dillercnt 
tribea ;  for  example,  a  fort  that  in  intended  to  reap 
the  proHtH  of  a  trade  with  the  Cn)W  IndianB,  i« 
situated  in  some  place  in  their  country  moHt  likely 
to  enjoy  that  advantage.     Again,  aa  the  various 
western  ti-ibcs  generally  «»ccupy  a  hostile  attitude 
toward  each  other,  a  company  trading  with  a  par- 
ticular tribe,  must,  apparently  at  least,  go  with  tliat 
tribe  in  their  hostile  feelings  toward  a  neighboring 
tribe.     The  Crows  and  IJIack-feet  are  deadly  foes. 
A  company  trading  with  the  Crows  must  unite  witli 
them  against  thti   lilack-feet;  and  the  Black-feet 
will  regard  said  company  as  hostile  to  them,  because 
they  trade  with  their  enemies,  and  will  treat  them 
as  such.     Tliis  attitude,  which  the  companies  are 
compelled  to  assume,  or  which,  are  rather  assigned 
them,  frequently  involves  them  in  dithculties  that  re- 
sult in  the  loss  of  life.    I  remember  a  fact  communi- 
cated to  me  by  a  free  trapper,  who  was  with  a  com- 
pany forted  (Ml  the  Maria  river,  in  the  Crow  country. 
The  captain  of  the  fort  had,  as  a  wife,  a  Crow 
Indian   scjuaw,  who  was  so  remarkably  vigilant, 
that  nothing  could  occur  without  her  knowing  it. 
Indeed  she  was  said  to  have  saved  the  lives  of  the 
men  in  the  fort  on  various  occasions,  by  giving 
them  timely  notice  of  their  danger,  and  by  her  con- 
stant watchfulness. 

On  one  occasion,  she  reported  a  band  of  Indians 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  fort,  whose  movements 
indicated  hostile  intentions.  By  the  aid  of  a  glass 
it  was  ascertained  that  they  were  Black-feet,  who 


*    V 


mmmmtm^nm' 


T II  a    I,  (J  8  r    r  r  a  r  v  k  r  s , 


yso 


ade  that  the 
tht!    tliirercnt 
iidt'd  to  reap 
V  IndiaiiH,  itt 
y  moHt  Hkoly 
the  various 
ritiU;  attitude 
;  with  a  par- 
,  go  with  tliat 
a,  n»'ighboring 
s  deadly  Ibes. 
Urtt  unite  with 
he  Black-l'eet 
them,  because 
ill  treat  them 
lompanies  are 
ither  ansigned 
cultics  that  re- 
luct communi- 
iH  with  a  corn- 
Crow  country, 
wile,  a  Crow 
inhly  vigilant, 
;r  knowing  it. 
he  lives  of  the 
ons,  by  giving 
nd  by  her  con- 

and  of  Indians 
ise  movementd 
I  aid  of  a  glass 
ilack-feet,  who 


were  dispoHod  to  liovtT  around  the  fort.  As  it  was 
in  the  iutter  part  of  the  day,  un  eye  was  kept  upon 
them  until  dark,  when  the  men  of  the  fort  turned 
out  to  hunt  for  them,  and  found  them  within  an  old 
breast-work  of  logs,  where  tlicsy  had  intended  to 
camp  l(ir  the  night.  There  were  nineteen  of  them, 
and,  as  it  was  supposed,  they  were  lilack-feet. 
They  were  easily  taken  and  conveyeil  to  the  fort, 
to  be  disposed  of  as  the  company  might  think 
proper.  When  they  were  taken  into  the  fort,  they 
asked  some  of  the  Crows,  that  were  in  the  fort,  to 
give  them  some  water.  Their  request  was  granted, 
and  when  they  received  it,  they  asked  the  Crows  to 
drink  with  them;  this  the  Crows  declined,  by  sha- 
king their  heada.  At  their  request,  something  to 
eat  was  next  furnished  them;  they  desired  the 
Crows  to  eat  with  them,  which  was  also  declined 
by  a  shake  of  the  head.  They  then  asked  for  a 
pipe,  in  the  smoking  of  which  they  asked  the  Crows 
to  join  them.  This  was  also  declined  in  the  same 
manni'r.  The  object  of  these  recpiests  was  to  as- 
certain something  about  their  fate,  and  when  they 
perceived  that  the  Crows  were  not  disposed  to  do 
any  thing  that  indicated  an  amicable  spirit,  the 
poor  fellows  seemed  to  know  the  doom  that  awa'i- 
ed  them.  The  Crows  joined  with  them  in  a  con- 
versation that  lasted  ail  night.  The  next  morning 
one  after  another  was  shot,  and  thrown  into  the 
river.  The  company  were  not  at  liberty  to  pursue 
any  other  course,  as  they  were  in  the  country 
of  the  Crows,  and  trading  with  them,  and  enjoying 
their  protection.  . 


mtr    '  iMBiMMwiiiJiiniwwiii . 


B>m 


240 


THE     LOST     TRAPPERS 


Such  is  the  character  of  many  transactions  that 
make  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  fur  trade ;  facts 
that  cannot  tend  to  conciliate  the  natives  generally, 
and  prompt  them  to  regard  the  white  man  as  their 
friend  and  benefactor.  Notwithstanding  occur- 
rences of  this  kind,  which  are  greally  to  be  deplored, 
the  inducements  held  out  to  great  gain,  by  this  trade, 
have  been  the  means  of  thoroughly  exploring  that 
vast  wilderness  between  the  states  and  the  Pacific. 
Indeed  it  has  opened  the  way  to  Orego i  and  Cali- 
fornifi  and  laid  open  those  vast  and  fertile  countries 
to  invite  the  thousands  that  are  now  emigrating 
there, and  to  encourage  thousands  more  to  go.  Such, 
however,  has  been  the  vigor  with  which  this  busi- 
ness has  been  prosecuted,  that  it  seems  destined  to 
be  soon  extinguished,  with  the  race  of  fur-bearing 
animals,  that  are  fast  vanishing  from  both  sides  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains. 


^ 


■Jill  jppij.«tiiiJiwiji^wic>j— M^wmw^wi^j(i^»Hiw 


.nsactions  that 
ir  trade ;  facts 
ives  generally, 
e  man  as  their 
anding  occur- 
to  be  deplored, 
1,  by  this  trade, 
exploring  that 
ind  the  Pacific, 
egoi  and  Cali- 
fertile  countries 
ow  emigrating 
re  to  go.  Such, 
:hich  this  busi- 
jms  destined  to 
!  of  fur-bearing 
n  both  sides  of 


APPENDIX. 


i 


m 


ii,BWW»iw'iWWi|W* 


i 


:  c  ii 


HI  1 1 1 


APPENDIX. 


WAY   BILL   TO   OREGON. 


An  Oregon  Emigrant  furnishes  the  fulluwing  way  bill  to  Oregon : 

Miles. 
From  Independence,  Missouri,  to  Blue,  at  Burnett's  trace  520 

From  Blue  to  Big  Platte      25 

Up  Platte     25 

Up  the  same 117 

Across  the  North  Fork  of  the  same     31 

Up  North  Fork  to  Cedar  Grove     18 

Up  tlie  same  to  Chimney  Rock 18 

To  Scott's  Bluffs V 20 

To  Fort  Laramie 38 

From  Fort  Laramie  to  theBig  Springs  at  the  Foot  of 

the  Black  Hills 8 

To  Keryene  North  Fork 30 

To  the  crossing  of  the  same • 34 

To  Sweet  water 55 

Up  Sweet  water  to  tiie  snow  on  the  Rocky  Mountains     60 

To  the  main  divide  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 40 

'i'o  the  waters  running  to  the  Pacific  Ocean 2 

To  Little  Sandy 14 

(243) 


244 


APPENDIX. 


.'   'i 


To  Big  Sandy     

To  Green  River 

Down  tlie  same 

To  Black  Fork  of  Green  river 

To  Fori  Bridger 

To  Koax  river 

Down  the  same  to  the  hills  that  run  through  the  same 

Down  the  same  to  the  great  Sandusiry 

To  Partinith,  first  waters  of  the  Columbia 

To  Fort  Hall,  on  Snake  river • 

To  Partinith  again 

To  Rock  Creek 

To  Salmon  Falls 

To  the  crossing  of  Snake  River 

To  the  Boiling  Springs 

Down  the  same  to  Fort  Boise 40 

To  Burnt  river 41 

Up  the  same 26 

Across  to  Powder,  to  the  Lamepens      18 

To  Grand  Round 15 

To  Utilla  river.  Blue  mount 43 

To  Dr.  Whileman's 29 

To  Walla-walla     25 

From  Walla-walla  to  Dalles 120 

From  Dalles  to  Vancouver 100 

Whole  distance  from  Independence,  Missouri,  to  Van- 
couver  in  Oregon  is  2,021  Miles 2021 


14 

25 

12 

22 

35 

35 

57 

38 

25 

58 

11 

87 

42 

27 

19 


-  Hill  p^pmn^^wi'""' 


^CT 


MlLKK. 

14 

25 

12 

22 

35 

•••■•••  3o 

gh  the  same  57 

••••■••  oo 

25 

58 

11 

87 

42 

27 

19 

40 

•••••••  41 

••••■••  ^D 

18 

15 

43 

29 

25 

120 

100 

souri,  to  Van- 

202 1 


!, 


APPENDIX 


EXTENT  OF  THE  ()RE(J;JN  TEIUUTORY. 

On  the  east,  it  skirls  ciirlit  hmnircd  miles  alonwllu'  Rockv 
Mountains ;  on  the  south,  three  hundred  miles  along  the 
Snowy  Mountains,  on  the  west,  seven  hundred  miles  along 
the  Paeitic  ocean  ;  on  the  north,  two  hundred  and  lorty  miles 
along  the  North  Ameriean  possessions  of  Russia  and  Eng- 
land. The  area  of  this  immense  valley  eontains  :i(jO,000 
square  miles,  eapahle  undouhledly,  of  I'orming  seven  sl.iies 
as  large  as  New  York,  or  (orty  slates  (iC  the  dimensions  of 
Massaehusetls.  ^Sotne  of  the  islands  imi  the  eoast  are  very 
large — sutlicient  to  form  a  state  liy  themselves.  'J'hese  are 
situated  north  of  the  parallel  of  forty-eight.  V'aneouver's 
Island,  two  hundred  and  sixty  miles  in  length  and  tifiy  in 
breadth,  eniilaius  12,000  square  miles — an  area  larger  than 
Massaehuseit-s  and  (Jonueelieul.  liueen  (Jliarlolle'.s,  or 
rather  Washington  Island,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  in 
length  and  thirty  in  breadth,  eontains  4000  square  miles. 
On  both  of  these  immeuae  islands,  though  they  lie  be- 
tween the  high  parallels  oi'  foriy-eight  and  fifiy-Hve  de- 
grees, the  soil  is  said  to  be  well  adapted  to  agrieullure. 

The  straits  and  circunijaeent  waters  aliound  in  fish  of  the 
finest  quality.  Coal  of  good  quality,  and  other  mines  of 
minerals,  have  been  found. 


THE    SOUTH    PASS. 

Captain  Fremont  describes  this  avenue  to  the  Oregon 
territory  as  one  of  easy  aecess  and  gradual  elevation.  It 
is  situated  not  far  imrlh  of  the  forty-second  parallel,  whieh  is 
the  boundary  between  our  territory  and  that  of  .Mexico. 

"  The  ascent  had  been  ao  gradual,  that  with  all  the  iniiiuatc 


mmmm 


S46 


A  p  p  e  N  D  I  X  . 


s  1 


; 


knowledge  possessed  by  Carson,  who  had  made  this  coun- 
try his  home  for  seventeen  years,  we  were  obliged  to  watcii 
very  closely  to  find  tlie  place  at  which  we  had  readied  the 
culminating  point.  This  was  between  two  low  hills,  risnig 
on  either  hand  fifty  or  sixty  feet.  When  I  looked  back  at 
them,  from  the  foot  of  the  intermediate  slope  on  the  wes- 
tern plain,  their  summits  appeared  to  be  about  one  hundred 
and  twentv  feet  above. 

"From 'the  impression  on  my  mind  at  the  time  and  subse- 
quently on  mv  return,  I  shotdd  compare  the  elevation  which 
we  surmounted  imn.cdiately  at  the  I'ass,  to  the  ascent  of 
the  Capitol  hill  from  the  avenue  at  Washington. 

"The  width  of  the  Pass  is  estimated  at  about  nmeteen 
mUes.      It   has   nothing   of  the   gorge-like  d  aracter  and 
winding  ascents  of  the  Allegany  passes— nothing  resembling 
the  St.  Bernard  or  Simplon  passes  of  the  Alps.     For  one 
hundred  miles  the  devation  is  regular  and  gradual.     It  pre- 
sente  the  aspect  of  a  sandy  plain  ;  and  the  traveler,  without 
being  reminded  of  any  change  by  toilsome  ascent,  suddenly 
finds  himsdf  on  the  waters  that  flow  to  the  Pacific  ocean. 
The  importance  of  this  Pass  is  immense.      It  opens  the 
way  into  the  valley  of  Oregon,  and  is  the  only  avenue  to  that 
country  from  the  interior,  for  a  long  distance.    By  observing 
the  map,  it  will  be  seen  that  three  great  rivers  take  their  rise 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Pass :  the  Platte,  the  Columbia, 
and  Colorado.     The  first  is  a  tributary  of  the  Missouri ;  the 
second,  draining  all  Oregon,  discharges  all  its  accumulated 
waters  into  the  Pacific;  the  third  flows  southwardly,  and 
empties  into  the  bay  of  California.     From  the  South  Pass, 
then,  as  a  central  point,  three  great  valleys  are  commanded. 
It  is  the  key  to  California;  it  opens  the  whole  Oregon  coun- 
try from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Western  ocean ;  and 
it  subjects  both  these  great  regions  to  the  control  of  Uie  Mis- 
sissippi valley."  'ir     Z^'  •     —■-     '       ■ 


APPENDIX, 


Mff 


made  this  coun- 
obliged  to  watch 

had  readied  the 
J  low  hills,  rising 

1  looked  back  at 
ope  on  tlie  wes- 
30ut  one  hundred 

le  time  and  siibse- 
e  elevation  which 

to  the  ascent  of 
gton. 

at  about  nineteen 
ke  cl  aracter  and 
othing  resembling 
e  Alps.     For  one 

gradual.     It  pre- 

2  traveler,  without 
e  ascent,  suddenly 
the  Pacific  ocean. 
se.      It  opens  the 
jnly  avenue  to  that 
ice.    By  observing 
ivers  take  their  rise 
lite,  tiie  Columbia, 
r  the  Missouri ;  the 
all  its  accumulated 
I  southwardly,  and 
,m  the  South  Pass, 
ra  are  commanded, 
/hole  Oregon  coun- 
estern  ocean;  and 
control  of  the  Mis- 


As  the  South  Pass  is  in  our  undisputed  territory,  its  im- 
portance will  doubtless  attract  the  attention  of  the  govern- 
ment. Fort  Laramie,  on  the  Pratte,  about  three  hundred 
miles  from  the  Pass,  is  mentioned  by  Capt.  Fremont  as  a 
suitable  point  for  a  national  post ;  it  is  now  merely  a  stsUion 
for  traders.  If  the  President's  recommendation  is  carried  out 
to  construct  forts  and  block  houses  on  the  route  to  Oregon, 
these  important  points  will  doubtless  be  regarded. 

A  LETTER   FROM    TIIE    AUTHOR    TO   A 
FRIEND    IN    VIRGINIA. 

BoonvlUe,  Cooper  Counti/,  Missouri,  May  iOth,  1846. 

My  Dear  Sir  : 

In    your    last   communication,    which   I 

had  the  pleasure  of  receiving,  you  state  that  yon  are  think- 
ing about  emigrating  from  Virginia  to  Missouri,  and  per- 
haps to  Oregon  ;  if  the  inducements  to  engage  in  svjch  an 
undertaking  were  sufficiently  great,  and  if  you  can  be  satisfied 
that  the  descriptions  you  have  had  of  this  country  and  Ore- 
gon were  true ;  and  you  ask  of  me,  an  honest  and  candid 
answer  to  a  number  of  important  questions,  which  you 
very  correctly  say,  interest  every  one,  who  thinks  of  going 
to  the  west. 

In  answer,  then,  to  your  letter,  allow  me  to  saV,  that  I 
know  not  what  you  may  have  read,  and  what  you  may  have 
heard  about  this  country  and  that  farther  west ;  biit  I  would 
state,  there  are  two  classes  of  witnesses,  who  bear  a  testi- 
mony pro  and  con,  in  relation  to  this  country,  to  which  I 
do  not  attach  much  truth.  The  first  embracies  those  who 
indulge  in  the  most  extravagant  language,  as  to  the  advantages 
of  this  country,  and  describe  on  paper  a  country  that  is  not 
to  be  found  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  Where  such  persons 
are  believed,  they  of  cotirse  mislead.  Many  persons,  receiv- 


TTS^^""' 


248 


APPENDIX 


ing  their  stalemenU  as  true,  emigrate  to  the  west,  and  are 
disappointed,  and  of  course  diasalisfied.  The  second  clas« 
embraces  those,  who  are  so  dissatisfied  with  the  country,  that 
they  cannot  say  a  word  in  iu  favor.  They  forward  to  their 
friends  in  the  old  slates,  very  doleful  and  disheartening 
accounts  of  the  country ;  and  indeed  many  such  persons 
return  back  to  the  place  from  whicii  they  emigrated.  I  have 
known  some  who  incurred  all  liie  expense  and  trouble  of 
coming  here,  and  instead  of  examining  the  country,  they  be- 
came dissatisfied,  and  went  immediately  back  to  the  old 
states,  giving  a  miserable  account  of  a  country  they  had 
never  seen.  The  information,  which  such  persons  give  of 
the  west,  cannot  therefore  be  relied  on  as  correct. 

You  ask  me  to  account  for  the  mania   for  Oregon  that 
prevails  in  Missouri,  and  you  seem  to  think  that  it  does  not 
say  much  in  favor  of  our  State,  that  so  many  of  our  citizens 
are  leaving  it,  to  cross  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  you  also  in- 
quire, what  is  the  general  character  of  the  people  who  are 
emigrating  from  this  country  to  Oregon.  You  will  remember 
that  the  distance  from  Independence  to  the  white  selUement 
on  the  Columbia  and  its  affluents,  is  about  two  thousand 
miles,  and  that  it  takes  the  greater  part  of  a  summer  season 
to  make  the  trip ;  and  you  must  know  that  no  very  small 
amount  of  means  is  essential  to  procure  the  necessary  out- 
fit.    It  may,  therefore,  be  taken  for  granted,  that  tlie  emi- 
grants from  our  state  who  are  seeking  a  home  beyond  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  belong  to  the  most  enterprising  and  pa- 
tient and  resolute  portion   of  our  population,   and  are  very 
far  from  being  the  poorest  people  in  the  country.     They 
are  a  class  of  people  that  are  not  easily  intimidated  by  dif- 
ficulties which  they  may  meet  in  life,  and  who  are  in  pos- 
session of  the  secret,  that  the  way  to  be  able  to  accom- 
plish an  object,  is  to  "believe  you  can  do  it,  and  you  can  do 
it."     They  are  rather  different  from  those  who  have  acted 


4 


iCMiiflii-'' " 


APPENDIX 


249 


le  west,  and  arc 
'he  second  class 
the  country,  that 
forward  to  their 
id  disheartening 
ly  such  persons 
iiigrated.  I  have 
e  and  trouble  of 
;ountry,  they  be- 
hack  to  the  old 
untry  they  had 
1  persons  give  of 
correct. 

for  Oregon  that 
I  that  it  does  not 
ly  of  our  citizens 
ns ;  you  also  in- 
e  people  wIjo  are 
ju  will  remember 

white  settlement 
ut  two  thousand 
.  summer  season 
at  no  very  small 
le  necessary  out- 
led,  that  the  emi- 
lome  beyond  the 
terprising  and  pa- 
jn,   and  are  very 

country.  They 
itimidated  by  dif- 

w  ho  are  in  pos- 
e  able  to  accom- 
t,  and  you  can  do 
3  who  have  acted 


the  part  of  pioneers  in  the  western  states,  and  whose  object, 
in  part  at  least,  seems  to  have  been  to  avoid  the  restriction  of 
salutary  law  and  order,  and  "  to  follow  the  game,"  which 
recedes  before  more  well  organized  society.  Among  the 
hundreds  and  hundreds,  tliat  leave  us,  there  are  many,  who 
are  actuated  by  the  very  laudable  purpose  of  carrying  the 
principles  of  our  religion  and  government  to  that  part  of 
the  world,  and  laying  the  foundation  of  institutions,  of  a  civil 
and  religious  character,  that  will  prove  great  blessings  to  all 
who  may  selde  there,  as  well  as  to  the  ignorant  and  degraded 
native?.  It  is  true,  many  are  going  there  without  any  other 
speciiic  object,  than  simply  to  be  moving;,  or  to  find  a  coun- 
try where  "  they  will  be  satisfied;"  an  object,  by  the  way, 
which  they  in  all  probability,  will  never  attain.  They  seem 
too,  to  explain  your  question,  why  so  many  are  leaving  this 
state.  When  inen  have  once  dissolved  the  relations  that  bind 
them  to  the  country  of  their  nativity  and  education,  to  seek  a 
location  in  the  west,  it  may  be  said,  with  too  much  truth,  of 
the  majority  of  them,  that  they  are  unsettled  for  the  remain- 
der of  their  days.  "Having  moved  once,  they  are  ever  ready 
to  move  again;"  and  then  the  finest  country  is  always  ahead. 
In  this  city  (Bnonville),  now  numbering  between  three  and 
four  thousand  inhabitants,  I  have  been  told,  the  population 
has  undergone  an  almost  entire  change  within  the  last  five 
years.  That  is,  very  few  of  the  citizens  who  were  living  here 
five  years  ago,  are  here  now.  In  the  old  states,  you  know, 
it  is  very  difficult  to  buy  a  valuable  farm  almost  at  any  price, 
from  the  fact  that  the  proportion  of  old  land  is  very 
small,  and  men  do  not  like  to  dispossess  themselves  of  com- 
fortable homes.  All  over  the  western  states,  it  may  be  said 
to  be  diiTerent.  Beautiful  and  very  fertile  land  abounds,  in 
every  direction,  and  a  pretty,  splendid  farm  seems  to  be  no 
great  de$ideratum,  because  every  one  may  have  it.  In 
this  country,  too,  the  majority  are  disposed  to  sell,  for  no 


-^mmmtimm 


350 


A  I'  P  B  N  D  I  X  . 


Ni 


reaw)n,  that  we  can  assi^fn,  except  to  ha  going  ahead,  and 
reaching  that  elysinm,  that  fills  tiic  eye  ol'  the  unsettled 
emigrant,  and  enchanlx  !iim  along,  from  country  to  cotmtry, 
until  he  fin(l8  himself  on  the  waters  of  the  Cohimhia,  or 
Colorado  of  the  west.  These  statements  may  serve  to  fur- 
nish one  r(!arfon,  why  so  many  are  leaving  this  country  for 
Oregon.  But  many  are  emigrating  from  Oregon  to  ('alifornia, 
for  the  same  resison,  that  they  move  from  this  State  to  Ore- 
gon. As  to  going  to  Oregon,  my  opinion  is,  that  if  a  man 
cannot  do  well  in  this  State,  where  he  can  get  ;is  good  land, 
as  he  can  gel  in  Oreaon  or  (California,  and  at  government 
price  in  the  hargain  (#1,25  p<T  acre),  he  cannot  do  hetter  by 
crossing  the  Rocky  Mmintiiins. 

I  have  read  every  thing  that  has  been  written,  professing 
to  give  us  a  description  of  Oregon,  and  I  have  yet  to  learn 
in  what  respect  that  country  has  one  advantage  which  this 
country  does  not  possess.  And  I  have  frequently  conversed 
with  men,  who  have  crossed  to  the  mouth  of  the  CJolumbia, 
and  not  only  carefully  examined  all  the  intervening  coun- 
try, but  have  remained  for  several  years  in  Oregon,  and  1 
have  never  been  able  to  learn  why  that  country  is  to  be 
preferred  to  this.  Yet  I  believe  we  should  do  nothing  to  dis- 
courage emigration  to  Oregon  or  California.  Great  goodwill 
result  from  it  to  the  world.  It  will  put  that  vast  territory  in 
the  possession  of  a  civilized  and  christian  people,  who  will 
apply  it  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  intended  by  the 
great  Creator  of  the  universe.  It  is  certainly  a  thing  to  be 
desired,  that  all  parts  of  the  face  of  our  earth  should  be  re- 
claimed from  savage  life,  and  be  occupied  by  an  enlightened 
people.  The  good  of  the  human  family  requires  this,  and 
the  christian  religion  sanctions  it. 

The  more  territory  there  is  in  the  far  west  to  be  occupied, 
the  more  reduced  will  be  the  price  of  land.  This  is  another 
good  resulting  from   the  great  emigration  to   C'regon.     It 


•  *- 1 


APPENDIX. 


p;oing  ahead,  and 
of  the  unsettled 
untry  to  ooimtry, 
he  Columhia,  or 
may  serve  tol'tir- 
ihis  country  for 
'gonto  ('iihfornin, 
this  Slate  to  Ore- 
I  is,  that  if  a  man 
prpt  'IS  good  land, 
nd  at  government 
mnot  do  better  by 

rritlen,  professing 
havo  yet  to  learn 
antaffc  which  this 
juently  conversed 
of  the  CJoiumhiii, 
intervening  conn- 
in  Oregon,  and  I 
country  is  to   be 
do  nothing  to  dis- 
h..  Great  good  will 
at  vast  territory  in 
people,  who  will 
I   intended  by  the 
iinly  a  thing  to  be 
»rth  should  be  re- 
hy  an  enlightened 
requires  this,  and 

est  to  be  occupied, 
1.  This  is  another 
»n  to  (.trcgon.     It 


tends  lo  keep  down  the  price  of  land  in  the  western  states, 
B  circumstance  tliat  greatly  favors  emigrants  to  the  frontier 
states,  whose  means  are  generally  limited,  if  they  have  any 
means  at  all.  The  price  of  land  in  this  State  is  said  to 
have  been  higher  twenty  years  ago,  than  it  is  now,  and  it  is 
likely  to  continue  low.  For  if  our  governmenl  should  nc 
quire  tlie  Californias,  or  Upper  (Jalifornia  only,  1  do  not 
hesitate  to  predict,  although  I  am  not  a  prophet  nor  the  son 
of  a  prophet,  that  the  emigration  from  the  frontier  states, 
westward,  will  greatly  exceed  the  em  i  in- at  ion  in'  •  those 
states.  This  must,  of  co»irse,  keep  down  the  price  of  land 
in  said  states  and  territories.  I  am  inclined,  therefore,  to 
think,  that  land  in  this  State  in  your  and  my  life-time,  will 
not  reach  a  very  high  price. 

I  have  said  that  I  did  not  know,  for  1  never  have  been  able 
to  learn,  what  advantage  Oregon  has  over  this  part  of  the 
world.  Now  it  is  generally  conceded  that  Oregon  is  not  a 
corn  country,  and  this  in  my  opinion  is  a  very  great  objec- 
tion to  it.  As  long  as  1  can  find  a  corn  country,  I  do  not 
expect  to  live  in  any  other.  The  great  variety  of  useful 
purposes  which  this  kind  of  grain  answers  (and  answers 
better),  than  any  thing  else,  must  make  the  country  that 
grows  it  more  valuable  than  those  countries  that  do  not 
grow  it.  How  would  we,  Virginians  and  Kentuckians,  do 
without  it.  "We  must  have  our  "hog  and  homttuiuy,'  and 
we  never  would  be  w  illing  to  live  in  a  country,  whe  c  we 
could  not  raise  it.  Such  a  coimtry,  I  understand  Ore^  m  to 
be. 

If  any  one  does  not  know  the  advantage?  of  a  com  grow- 
ing country,  let  him  compare  the  many  uses  to  which  this 
grain  is  applied,  with  the  very  few  purposes  to  which  wheat 
is  applied,  and  he  will  at  once  see  that  it  is  much  easier  to 
get  along  without  wheat,  than  corn.  Oregon  is  said  to  be  a 
fine  wheat  country,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  climate  is 


A  r  r  e  N  D I  X  . 


b«'Uer  adapteil  u>  ihc  prowinjf  of  tliai  kind  of  grniii  ihan  any 
other ;  but  then  you  may  depciul  upon  it,  it  is  no  betn-r,  for 
example,  than  nortli  Illinois,  Iowa,  VViseonsin  or  Missouri. 
I  hope  you  will  not  misunderHlaiul  me.  1  am  only  com- 
paring Urejjon  with  ihin  connlry,  wiiii  the  view  of  answer- 
ing your  quewtion.  It  in  a  <ine  ronnlry,  but  in  my  opinion 
not  superior  to  tliii*.  Nor  am  I  to  be  understood  as  aiming 
to  diseourage  emigration  to  that  eountry.  1  would  rather 
encourage  it,  and  say  nothing  that  would  east  a  damper  over 
the  feelings  of  the  emigrant,  and  cause  him  to  abandon  hia 
purpose. 

In  answer  to  your  question  about  the  soil  of  Missouri,  I 
reply,  that  it  is  as  feriile  as  that  of  any  eountry.  1  mean 
the  river  bottom  land.  The  prairie  (table)  land  is  not  so 
rich,  and  on  that  aecounl  the  first  setdements  were  made  in 
the  timber,  which  is  pretty  nmch  confined  to  the  water  cour- 
sea.  For  the  last  few  years,  tlie  river  lands  have  not  been 
valued  so  high,  from  the  fact  that  they  are  liable  to  be  over- 
flown once  a  year.  The  larger  clafs  of  rivers  in  this  Htate 
rise  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  every  spring  they  are 
swelled  to  an  enormous  size  from  the  melting  of  the  snow 
in  those  mountains.  Tliis  is  called  the  June  rise,  and  at 
that  season  of  the  year  can  do  a  great  deal  of  injury.  On 
this  account,  the  earlier  setders  of  this  State,  who  located 
themselves  on  the  bottom  lands,  have  generally  moved  up 
on  tlie  high  lands ;  tha',  is,  upon  the  prairies,  where  their 
crops  are  not  exposed  to  the  danger  of  being  swept  away 
every  spring.  You  have  read  the  various  accounts  in  the 
newspapers,  of  thf  great  flood  of  1844  in  our  rivers,  which 
go  to  strengthen  what  I  have  said. 

Another  advantage  which  the  prairies  have,  is,  they  are 
healthier  than  the  bottom,  timbered  lands.  They  are  higher, 
and  using  destitute  of  limber  to  interrupt  the  currents  of  air, 


1  i 


. 


T 


■  grniii  ihiin  any 
is  no  bellfr,  for 
4in  or  MiHKouri. 
iim   only   corn- 
view  of  juiBwrr- 
it  in  my  opinion 
rstood  as  niniin^ 
i  WDuUi  ratlier 
9t  a  damper  over 
I  to  abandon  his 

il  of  Minaouri,  I 
oiintry.  1  mean 
)  land  is  not  so 
Its  were  made  in 

0  the  water  cour- 
Is  have  not  been 
liable  to  be  over- 
vers  in  this  Slate 

spring  they  are 
ing  of  the  snow 
lune  rise,  and  at 

1  of  injury.  On 
late,  who  located 
lerally  moved  up 
ries,  where  their 
cing  swept  away 

accounts  in  the 
our  rivers,  which 

have,  is,  they  are 
They  are  higher, 
le  currents  of  air* 


APPENDIX. 


253 


a  f^entlo  breeze  sweeps  constantly  over  dieir  beautiful  sur- 
face, that  lends  to  keep  the  atmosphere  pure. 

If  you  will  select  a  situation  on  some  elevation  in  these 
prairies,  on  the  west  side  of  any  pond  of  water,  or  stream 
that  may  be  in  your  vicinity,  you  may  have  as  good  health 
here  as  you  may  enjoy  any  where  else.  I  say  the  went  side, 
for  through  the  entire  summer,  there  generally  prevails  a 
south-west  wind,  that  will  blow  away  the  noxious  miasma 
that  arises  from  die  surface  of  standing  stagnant  water.  No 
opinion  as  to  a  healthy  location,  is  more  generally  entertain- 
ed in  the  west,  than  the  one  just  advanced. 

You  wish  to  know,  what  kind  of  crops  are  the  most 
profitable.  That  will  depend,  in  part,  upon  the  men  who 
undertake  to  raise  a  crop  of  any  kind,  and  convert  it  into 
money.  Corn,  wheat,  hemp,  and  tobacco,  are  the  staples 
of  this  StjUe,  and  every  man  should  engage  in  that  kind  of 
farming  which  he  inulerstands.  I  make  this  statement,  be- 
cause I  observe  a  great  many  here  engage  in  the  raising  of 
tobacco,  who,  from  want  of  experience,  do  not  know  how 
to  handle  such  a  crop,  and  generally  lose  their  labor. 
Many,  too,  raise  large  crops  of  hemp,  but  as  they  have  no 
way  or  means  of  breaking  it,  these  crops  are  frequendy 
lost.  To  raise  tobacco,  and  make  it  a  profitable  crop,  I  am 
certain,  from  what  I  have  seen,  that  a  man  must  "serve  his 
trade  at  the  business  ;"  and  to  raise  hemp  with  profit,  a 
farmer  needs  several  strong  hands. 

Stock  of  every  kind,  such  as  horses,  cattle,  mules,  hogs, 
&c.,  arc  more  minierous  Iwra  than  in  Virginia,  and  of  the 
very  best  blood.  Our  l)eautifti'  prairies,  in  the  grass  season, 
are  dotted,  everywhere,  with  bands  of  the  diflerent  kinds  of 
stock,  in  grass  up  to  their  bellies.  And,  it  is  worthy  of  no- 
tice, that  the  prairie-grass  has  the  property  of  fattening 
stock  much  qtiicker  than  any  of  the  varieties  of  tame  grass. 
However  poor  an  ox  may  be,  if  he  has  strength  enough  to 


'A 


■(TriniHWii 


M 


urn 


APPENUIX, 


get  out  upon  the  prairie,  when  the  tender  grass  begins  to 
shoot  up,  he  seems  immediately  to  spring  up  with  new  life ; 
and,  in  a  few  weeks,  his  naked  bones  are  clothed  with  flesh. 
I  observe  that  many  persons,  coming  even  a  thousand 
miles  to  this  State,  encumber  their  trip  with  stock,  furniture, 
etc.,  believing  that  these  things  cannot  be  readily  (if  at  all) 
procured  in  this  country.  This  is  a  mistake  which  creates 
much  trouble  and  expense.  A  horse  that  you  can  sell  in 
Virginia  for  sixty  dollars,  you  may  get  here  for  thirty.  A 
yoke  of  cattle,  that  will  bring  thirty  dollars  here,  will  bring 
from  fifty  to  sixty  dollars  in  Virginia.  It  is  only  recendy 
that  a  yoke  of  oxen,  in  this  country,  would  bring  even 
thirty  dollars.  The  Santa  Fe  traders,  however,  now  use 
them  instead  of  mules,  and  they  buy  a  great  many  every 
spring,  and  this  has  brought  them  into  demand. 

Whilst  you  ask  of  me  "  nothing  but  truth,"  you  say  you 
"  w\nt  all  of  the  truth,"  as  to  the  health  of  this  State.  It 
can-iol  be  denied,  that  this  country  has  been  very  sickly  for 
the  last  three  or  four  years  ;  but  I  am  constrained  to  believe 
that  Missouri  will  become  one  of  tiie  healthiest  of  the  west- 
ern states.  The  face  of  the  country  is  very  undulating,  and 
I  have  yet  to  see  one  of  those  sloughs,  so  common  in  Ohio, 
Indiana,  and  Illinois.  Indeed,  if  there  be  any  objection  to 
the  face  of  the  country,  it  is  too  dry.  Springs  of  water  are 
scarce,  and  many  are  compelled  to  use  cistern-water ;  that 
is,  ram-water  conveyed  from  the  roofs  of  houses  to  wells, 
dug  to  receive  it.  In  a  very  few  hours,  this  water,  which 
is  very  free  from  mineral,  and  noxious  propfrties,  and  of 
course  very  pure,  becomes  very  cool.  You  may  think  this 
a  poor  substitute  for  the  fine  springs  in  the  hills  and  moun- 
tains of  Virginia ;  but,  believe  me,  my  dear  sir,  when  I  tell 
you  that  the  majority  of  persons,  after  using  it  awhile,  be- 
come very  fond  of  it. 

Like  all  persons,  who  may  be  thinking  and  talking  about 


I   L 


grass  begins  to 
ip  with  new  life ; 
othed  with  flesh, 
even  a  thousand 
1  stock,  furniture, 
eadily  (if  at  all) 
ke  which  creates 

you  can  sell  in 
•e  for  thirty.  A 
3  here,  will  bring 

is  only  recently 
'ould  bring  even 
iwever,  now  use 
Teat  many  every 
nand. 

th,"  you  say  you 
of  this  State.  It 
en  very  sickly  for 
strained  to  believe 
thiest  of  the  west- 
y  undulating,  and 
common  in  Ohio, 

any  objection  to 
irings  of  water  are 
istern-water ;  that 
'  houses  to  wells, 
this  water,  which 
)ropf'rties,  and  of 
ou  may  think  this 
e  hills  and  moun- 
ar  sir,  when  I  tell 
sing  it  awhile,  be- 

and  talking  about 


-VMfi  ...,i.i»y^T»-ttil4- 


A  PPEN  DI  X. 


255 


moving  to  the  west,  you  ask  a  question  about  the  game  in 
this  State. 

There  are  no  buffalo  within  the  limits  of  Missouri  State, 
nor  any  within  five  hundred  miles  from  the  boundary  line. 
There  are  some  elk,  in  the  unsettled  parts  of  the  State,  and 
deer  are  also  plenty  in  some  places.  But  game  of  every 
kind,  in  a  prairie  country  like  this,  will  vanish  much  faster 
and  sooner,  than  in  timbered  countries.  I  have  no  doubt 
as  to  the  fact,  that  there  will  be  deer  in  the  old  Slates,  when 
there  will  not  be  one  in  the  limits  of  our  State.  Game  is 
scarcer  about  the  boundary  line,  and  for  some  distance  into 
the  Indian  country,  than  it  is  in  the  interior.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  fact,  the  tribes,  about  the  line,  often  ask  per- 
mission to  come  within  the  limits  of  our  State  to  hunt. 
This  privilege  is  granted  by  the  Governor,  if  there  is  no 
objection  raised  by  the  whites  living  where  the  Indians  wish 
to  hunt. 

It  is  yearly  becoming  a  question  of  increasing  interest, 
"what  is  to  be  the  fate  of  the  tribes  on  our  frontier  ?"  That 
which  constitutes  their  main  dependence  for  a  living,  (the 
game),  is  fast  disappearing,  and  the  poor  wretches  must 
beg,  steal,  or  starve.  The  day  is  not  very  distant,  when 
our  government  will  be  compelled  to  do  something  to  pre- 
vent the  difficulties  and  annoyances  to  which  our  citizens 
will  be  exposed,  from  their  juxtaposition  to  these  frontier 
tribes. 


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THE  FAriL\  MEDIC.VL  LIBRARY: 

A    TRKATISE    ON    THK 

PREVENTION  AND  CURE  OF  DISEASES 

By  Reiiiini^n  iind  Kiinple  MHiciiiKH.  Rcvisi!!!  and  «nliiri!('(l,  with  Iht;  ndiiitinn  of  A 
Vefielabli!  Muieriu  Medica,  poiniiii|{  out  the  virtiiiis,  preiiiiratiniiH,  nnd  doaea  of  our 
Diufit  vHliiiihli;  imiivn  niedicul  plaiitn,  and  nn  Appiindix,  ilhiiilruted  with 

100  £x?oaAVzxros,  6  or  nirHxoH  arb  ooi.orbd. 

BY  J.  (i.  NORWOOD,  M.  D. 

"  Amonc[  the  American  writers  whuau  works  liave  twen  freely  put  In  reqiiialilon  Tir  lhl< 
work,  may  be  mentioned— Ddcturs  Kusli,  Chapman,  Ciildwell,  Cimk,  Barton,  James,  Dud- 
ley, Elwrle,  Short,  Drake,  Dewees,  Vandell,  Duii^liso.i  and  Cartwright.  Alan  to  the  la- 
bora  nf  Cooper,  Aliernethy,  Burns,  Alackintosh,  Armstrun;.',  Johnson,  Thomaa  and  ulhsr 
Knglish  wrilera,  who  aland  at  llie  head  of  their  prufesaion  in  their  own  f"  "<ry.  Tlie  ob- 
ject ih'oiifihout  the  entire  work,  tjeing  to  give  the  history,  characteriatic,  symploms,  pro- 
gresa  and  lerniination  of  all  common  diseases,  in  as  correct,  simple  and  intelligible  lermi 
as  possible,  suiud  to  the  ca|)acitiesof  all  who  ought,  in  any  event,  tu  undertake  the  treat- 
mem  of  a  disease,  in  the  termination  of  which  human  life  may  be  at  stake." 

**  It  is  not  intended  to  iniluce  people  to  neglect  medical  assistance,  and  (flace  loo  great 
confidence  In  their  own  discrimination ;  but  to  enable  families  to  make  profier  use  of  suit- 
able remediea  in  audden  attacks  of  illness,  and  in  case  of  accidenta,  when  the  8ervice»of 
a  physician  cannot  l»  Immediately  pr')curcd." 

"  To  render  this  worl  more  generally  useful,  however,  as  well  as  more  acceptable  to  the 
intelligent  part  of  n::>i!kind,  I  have,  in  most  diseases,  besides  rsgimen,  recommended  some 
nf  the  most  simple  and  approved  forms  of  medicine,  and  added  such  cautions  and  direction* 
as  seemed  necessary  fi;r  their  aafu  administration."— [£x(ru(Yg/ron»  the  Pre/act. 

Tliti  treatment  pursued  by  the  generality  of  practitioners,  and  found  MOST 

SUCCESSFUL,  particularly  in  the  DISEASES  ENDEMIC  TO  THE 

SOUTH  AND  WES'l',  has  been  detailed  with  much  minuteness  and  great 

care.    The  following  are  some  of  the  subjects  treated  upon  in  this  work. 

Observationi  od  Uiet.  Cupkery 
Air.  itc 


Reroarku  on  fiedt  ntarytstpdious 

and  laborious  Occuuatiu 
Eierciio.  Sleep^Clothinf  i 


fjlurciBU.  oie«u.«^ _. 
nteniperance.CleanlineUt 
lnfec_tjon  and  Contagion. 


JllteCtjUllBIIU<L'< 
'he  Natural  KvacuationSi 
'er8piraiion.  wet  CF3tti->fl^  wet 


'eel.NiJhtA  ^^ 

iidden  TiBMiuon  from  heel 


4fc 


damp  Bods, 


.EDGR&CURE 

Pfiyiiof  nomy  orbisaaaest 
Dennilion  of  Diaeaten, 
General  Obiejrvationa  on  Fever 
Lntermilteniri 

Infli 


voua, 
,liarj 


miltent  Feveri,  or  /Han, 
ttent,  Bilioii>.  Contmuedi 

,  and  Scarlet  Pe 


lorr 

Pnetinjoaia.  Inflammation   of 
_tbe  Lunis. 

Pit  ariajr.  Bastard  Pleurisr. 
Ththisis.  or  Pulmonary  Con 
Bumation 

Pi 

pthalmr- 
„tlie  Eyt..     . .  _       „. 
Qnjniy,  Putrid  Bore  Throat 

1*1] 


_BumPtiun.         _      . 
SmallPoijCoii.Po^.Vareofciid 


, ijCow  Poi.Vi 

Chicken  Pui,  Measles, 
lipel^a,  St. Anthony 

.  halmia.  or  Inflammi 

tite  Byes. 


y'B  Firo, 
lammatiuii  ol 


Colds  and  Coughs.  Whooplnt 

Cough* 
Inflammation  of  the  Brnin.  Sto- 


am 

ough. 

Jammation  of  the  Brnini 
nach.    Inteiitincs.  KidneyBi 
Bladder  and  Liver. 
^      "• \  Morbus, 


Colic.  Cholera  I 


Diarrhcea, 

iVoiniring, 


fal><fnant  Cholera- 

lent -ry.Uyape^Bia.       „,  ... 

inbo  ea.IiiRuntinence  of  Urine 

luppr  BBion  of  Urino. 

I  ravel  and  Siune. 
InvolMOtary  piachaign  of  Blood 
blending  ang[  Blind  Pilob* 


Sliitiinsol  Blood.  Vomiting  of 


„lllooif,    . 

BlfHMJy  Urine.  Di'Bontery. 

Head-ache.  Touthache, 


^che. 
at.  Rheu 

Drniv.  flc.„.. 
^       ■  iii) 

Coativenew.Want 


Ear- 


orniB.  Jaundice.  Dropsy, 
int.  R^ 

XSeTteli,  Ai 


Gout.  Kheumatisifi,  Scurvy, 
"pryay.  Sciufula, 


Heart-burn 
NprvouB  Oil 


.  Apoplery, 
of  Appetite. 

Melancholy. 

Falling  Biekneas, 

-    . -"ISe.  Hicconghi 

Cramp  of  the  Stoma^^h. 
dardonic  I^ugh.  Night  Mare. 
Low  Spirita.  Hyateric   A3ec- 

tions. 
Hypochondriac  Affections. 
The~Eya.  Bar,  Taate.  Smell 

l^nd  Touch, 
irruiand  Cancer. 

'dinona.  Mineral  and  Voge'.a- 

ble. 


Sell 
Piiii 
bl_. 

goiaonouB  Fish,  Hydrophohia. 
urgery.  Blending, 
inilammatinn  of  Abacensea. 
Wounda.  Burna.  Drniaea.  Ill- 


Suspended  AnimatioD  and  IU> 

Buscitation. 
Noaioua  Vauora. 
E^cts  of  Extreme  Cold  and 

'aintincfits.  Convolslon  fits. 

looked  Jaw.  White  Swollinf. 

rolatH^B  Am.  whitelow,  gb- 

Inn.  Rinfworm.'TBUer,  Scald 
„  Head.  Warts  and  Corna. 
fimpleB  on  the  Fkce, 
bruptions.  lasues  or  Draiiis> 
Seniuns.  Blisters. 
DISEASES    OF    WOMEN. 
M  AN  AGTBMENT  OF  CHlE- 

OtSEASES  of  CHILDREN, 

Acidities.  .Flatulency  and 
Gripes.  Galling  and  Excori- 
ating. Blopingo  of  the  Nmo 
or  Snuffles,  Yellow  Gum.Vo- 
piitini.  Looaonesa  or  Purg- 
ing. Eruptions.  Red  Gum. 
Thruah.  Tithing.  Convuls- 
kms.  Weaning  Brash.  Croup, 
CogliTeness.  Oalic,  Fsver. 
Inflamniatinn  of  the  Lungs, 
Catarrh,  Cold  Bathing.  eJ- 
ffcts  of  Cold  Bathing,  Can- 


Ga'&tfev^" 

APPENDIX-, 


An  outline  of  the 
■  thn  Hu 


of 


-    - .-   AnatomT 

Kan  Body.  Forma- 
me.^.MuiwIee. 
ligestinn.  Circulation  of  the 
lood.   ilospirution,  Animi^l 
[eat.  Ft'cretion  and  Nutri- 
tion. Nervous  System.  Five 
Scnaox,  frc. 


c*ir«. 
Fixtula  in  Ann.  DiRlnrations. 
Fracturett  or  Brolteti  Ronea. 
Btrainii.  Rupiurea,  Casualtioa. 

HCrAgeMa  and  others,  who  purchase  to  sell  again,  will  be  supplied  on  libe- 
ral terms  with  this  and  other  valuable  books,  by 

J.  A.  &  U.  P,  JAMES,  Publishers,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


NOTIOES    or    THE 

PAMILY  MEDICAL  LIBRARY. 


m 


Sew  Richmond,  Ohio. 
Iham  rl.ml«d  the  "  f'SHy  M'J"=»'  :'-'!":5rf"S 

piw  "Vi?-  '"""'^'  "■  "j:  V"'j'.'!1?n 'TorG!.  i! 

Kir  finiiiiefc 
siF_I  hiva  cunonlf  i-I»niined   Ihc  "  Family  MfHicJl 

Kcd  n<i»,  Bnum  a.,  0.,  April  1(7,  \r-f. 
I  would  r«p.c.(.ny  '"';?>'';f'?  '".ria  "iV'  il  r.iry  " 

HiKiiMIwI,  Oto,  May  2l»<.  l*"^.- 
"  Ttie  ramily  Medical  Mlinry,"  conil'lled  l-V  I';  ;;"', 
wood,  I  would  raiiecKull.  iKonmitrKi  lo  all  niy  IriHidi 
iMai  uaiolance,  L  one  of  .h«  l«l  "»«>  <>'  '"•  "">''  "" 
•"'  ■•  ''  -^^  "^ '"  "">'  '^^:'fi.  M-CORMICH,  M.  n. 
CinlnniU^  Ohv). 
I  IttK  retlewed,  wild  KHne  allenlion,  llie"  Kaiiiilv  Mnj- 
ici  Library,"  a.  revi«id  by  J.  G.  Norwood,  M.  1.,  »"•!. 
iShKou"  hi  lalinn,  would  ny  ihayfOr  »  >™'lf  »', .'^ ''  I'; 
ii  i.  a  very  valuable  o„e  lo  faiiiif.e.  wl»»e  lonU'mln- 
nuenllv  ei'lude  Iheni  fmni  the  phy.ician,  al  a  time  "f  ihe ir 
2Sl»t  e.r.nily,  aa  "ell  «  .upply  them  wilh  .i.ce«ry 
SSicI  aid,  wbeu,«umajyjl;.Wy-J|.--'^ 

Ofrmonli>um,  June  17, 1M2. 
S  would  rt.p«lfully  reconimend  lo  all  my  friends  and 
tcqialulaoeolhe  "  r",u\,  Me.lical  Library,*  coimiUfd  by 
JT  No-  wood,  to  be  one  of  the  very  «t  work,  of  «  e 
kill)  »iw  eilan  ,  a>  il  ii  a  work  that  will  do  much  to  pul 
diwn  quackery  ind  emnyrici.m,  an,l  .hould  b^  'V*",'',]^ 

JSirS   eve%  i„.elliV«.> '"lilyi,  -'  'i?K'-\tt  ' 
recommenl  it  aa  wch.  JAS  COM;-  riK,»,  M.  l). 

Mittmilliur/!*,  June  ". '■^'-  , 
From  «  curanry  eiamiuatioii  of  the  "  Family  Medical 
I  Ihrarv  "bv  J.  O.  Norwood,  I  have  no  heailalion  in  Bying 
thanr^lain.  much,  veiy  much,  valu.able  luformalioo^ 
eonii  ledtroui  our  beat  niedi.-al  aulhor^  and  if  oiice  placed 
iTlfc  baiS.  o(  an  inlelligeul  commumty,  will  prove  a 
pea.  ch«=k  to  qu.ck.r,  anJ  «»Pyrici™-jj^„^„_  ^,  „. 

'•ramilT  Medical  Library,- by  J.  O.  Norwood,  M.D. 
We  have  eiamined  'he  work  Ixifore  in,  ami  are  harw  !» 
find  thai  il  in  a  ixid  book-rood  ■"  i»  iuniiencc»-goo,1  n 
S?l»«7uc  OM-irS  in  it. eject..  We  do  np<  believe  m 
SM^man^Sup  to  be  hli  own  doctor.    The  more  he 

md  the  lea  cooSdence  he  would  have  in  a  quack.  Quack- 
^  Z^ZmZ  koowWjc  rof.  up,  U  every  man  l»d 
!bU  W,  and  waa  well  veiwi  in  it.  coolenl.,  the  quack, 
wouldha.e  very  little  to  do.  If  he  were  «ir,ou.lr  iM,  he 
would  I  de.iMi.  o»  baring  the  aid  »"?  •''•.^"'ri,^  '^, 
well  read  and  the  eiperienced  physicao.  ""••'»■?'"  °" 
?(».  Vjood  «rvlce  to  Ihe  public  10  briii^irn  ™l» '»S*," 
u^ul  iiili  character.-CinciruMli  Wn""'  M"™-  «"»• 

"  The  Medical  Family  Ubrary  "  i.  Ihe  tide  of  a  liljhly 
nloahle  work  now  on  o'ur  Ulilc  We  have  Ri""  "  "r" 
"penBal  a.  our  time  permilted.  It  coulain.  much  vahu. 
olV  iXmalioo  on  the  .ubject  of  dl«,w.  and  tlicir  reme- 
3 toi "lier »c.  We  fe.1  confldenl  in  ByinK  that  .uch  a 
tSV  "holild  1«  In  the  band,  of  every  fainily.-Boiwlie, 
Jlciilu'Jty,  ifircurj. 


"The  Family  Mediol  I-*'>T''-'^' ,°^,„^',„*,"J^, 
lion  irf  the  re*ler  lo  a  |,ubl,C-ition  in  "r'""  "''"  "  "/^ 
,«,«r  in  refeiTHCe  to  thi,  valuable  wiirK.  II  '■ '"C'')  ^ 
Le  ,of  b.  nwlical  genllemeii  of  ""■"''"«■  ".•^,'"i.^,:^ 
erailv  very  jealou.  of  puulirainm  "f  Ihi.  ml  i  "i»  »  '"  ' 

£r™^St.s^::rr^ifSSiH 

«»  il  I  11  miaht  be  lo  t  leni  a  moil  pnifinble  i  iircii.-ue,  ■» 

E'^rri^?;tvS;fs;te;piS 
^™2^r:TS.!^;:iSir^uimi3iJ 

f,  lim'ioe  he"rUtioi,  of  Ihi.  Iiook,  much  of  'f"\"f-'> 
it  i  il.  price  1.  irivial  compared  with  i  •  uKlulne«.    ajo.. 

•'  Medical  Family  library.'-llie  re.der>  alleiilion  II 
invited  toThe  advertlKlnent  of  Ihe  above  work  by  ihe  pub- 
SieT  A"l«cimen  of  the  bcKik  U  al.i  before  u  ,  and  w. 
hJvf  iiv*  1  .uch  a  petu«l  a.  our  lei.ure  pem,l»c.l ;  we 
h^ve  J^ii  tand«l  It  to  a  liiclical  friend,  who  pmnouiicea  ll 
^^Iluible  work  fir  the  u,e  "''»""'";  •^''.in"'::"^^ 

wh.rr  ihev  arc  not  »  llluatcd  a.  to  be  able  at  al ■»  »i 

^mm.l«l'the«rvice.of  a  ,.hj-.ician  io  ca«,  "<  -•"»•■  «•; 
«■      M  i.  the  more  valuable  becauK  ll  i.  reeenl,  and  I* 

ri  J  t "  w:.t'^,  f"r "'"  '"«r "' "  Tir"bo;s"'n."y  £ 
='''''airhr,5rice'^'l"werr',;";hc.ii&e':::?i"»';i;r, 

gfcf^vhirr^^ri^'a^orev-" 

lnoriil«nl  at.!  coixcct  ,ie»..-Za,ioo.«c  f.o:.H.. 


Std  On*,  Brouil  mimfj,  0.,  ^^ar  4.  IMS. 
Mr.  John  Mort.n,— Sir  i  biviuj  e.arolned  Ihe     Hmny 

KSlMl  IJbi^iT"  I  biok  we  would  do  oiinelve.  are  Ifam- 
S  bjliiiS'  iJ  purcha-  ™.»"1  '  *•  ^^SJJ'S"- 
•omisead  II  to  all  my  oei|hboia.  JONAS  M4M« . 


"The  Family  Medical  Library  r  a  trealiv  on  the  IVi* 

i>  now  before  u..  I  •  published  by  J.  A-  Jamesoi  no- 
"Si  a  Id  i.  now  offered  to  the  liublic,  chea|«r  than  any 
iS  of  the  kind  lierMoforc.  Tfie  imrortance  of  such  a 
wo  k  miaf  at  oncL  I*  obvioo.  to  every  one.  *"y  c.v 
have  time  or  opprflunitT  for  a  re,iilar  c"urw  of  medical 
?Mdini  and  Ihi  work  Hiat  biiiiothe  ii».r  iiiftinnation  m 
u'  ™ia  lii^l  cnrnpaa,  if  judicioudy  arrauscd.  '•  ""-  "  ^• 

, ,'  .  ,1  -  ,-  nt  ntaiikind  Slich  we  coiwider  the  'Fain* 
?  ;'M"Ji;TS.n  ™-  nioS  much  that  i,  u«.ful  lo 
eiervchSof  read7r,.  Its  anatomical  illus'ratlon.  are  |iar. 
fi^  Srl^W  to'hi^e  who  p.~K«  bui  a  1  niilea  ki«w. 

Sje  o}  tot  1  eceron-  branch  of  Medical  science.     1  her. 

Mi^knowledee  niord  iml«.rtanl  lo  m,  and  none  « Inch  w. 

"i^  ,nd  that  wlA  conduces  mnrt  to  our  own  health  and 
."l.taiorVhe  iwical  Library  will,  in  a  ™i  meawr. 
^ipily  Ihf.  dJliciency  In  knowledge,  '' r" .  J"  r^d  S 
mSke'every  man  hi.  own  l*V'm»V-  ""  ^^''T  •'™'"  >» 
lout  willmut »  oopy.-Miam>  KoUey  lUr'ttr. 

"  FamilT  Medical  Library,  illiBtraled  with  one  hundred 

^-idS;iS^«SSSS 

ihmoehoul  i«  «ild  very  Cheap.  That  which  gve.  me  "ori 
S-f  value  io  Ibis  irclioo  of  the  couiilry,  1.  il.  reVLion 
b  f  K«nlleman,,f,de«-rve.llylu;l,.»n^^ 
nrnfe-ioii  and  il.  ailaplal  on  lo  (Fnlcm  duBUes.  ine 
K*?rii»  Eul  prove  ;  valuable  acqiusili-n  to  every  intel. 
St  fan^ly  in  llie  community,  and  more  »r«-">>l'  <» 
K  for  whim  11  ■«  "°«  ••"»!?  """";::i  '"  °'""°  "" 
Musiauce  of  a  phyaician—MoAiOii  Bannrr. 

I  An  her«bv  certify  thai  I  was  afflicted  wilh  pil™,  "Oir.? 

SiJ^r^LKrary'^rndhv  ii  din-clion.  effcctcl  a  cii«^ 
'wh"M,al;ToM'.'o  yea™,  been  offrcluaL      "JJI-"  ^^ 
hand  and  Kal,  Ihi.  mh  dav  of  Auguit,  l»«-Awn»io» 
llownJiip,  Wayne  county,  indiaia.^^^^  ^  HARPER. 


I 


ARY. 


>l  I.ihnr,-.'-W«  all  llM  »l'«» 
ibhoillnii  iinnolhermluniiinfo*! 
,  ,.ilial,lc  wort.  II  !•  h'K'ily  SW 
iriijrii  o(  pDiinrnM,  "h"  »'^  f"- 
ii,lir»ir.in"r  Ihisr.ili  Hi"  »  <>"• 
ih  riejlot  rrmiiniifiHlali™!  crai- 
niiTili.  Ever)  hniilv  •lumlil  !«•• 
K-ni  a  niral  |)n'fil>ble  | urclvw,  •• 

■  jTiiliviiciAn  il  mishi  be  jJianll- 
rubrly  in  ellrenie  cue^  "I  •"Ide" 
l^rcire  oiie  cnulil  be  CAltol  m;  l>» 
1  of  Ihii  iKok,  miK-li  ot  •;*""«.  I' 
MveJ.  Kvcry  fannl;  •ImuU  l»»« 
)inii»r»d  wiih  1  •  u«!fulne«.-i«». 

ibmr."— ITie  retderS  attention  la 
men!  of  the  aliove  wort  by  the  iiub- 

Ihe  huok  ii  al«)  liefiire  u.,  and  we 
■tujnl  as  oor  leisure  |'eniii"(<l  J  we 
1  i.ieilicil  frieiKl.  who  pninniuirea  ll 
ihe  me  of  fainiliea,  anJ  ealjcciallir 
liluateH  M  to  t-e  able  at  all  llii-»  In 

of  a  physician  in  eases  of  einerCTD- 
iliialile  because  il  is  recent,  and  1* 

the  diseases  ot  oor  own  'inie  and  lo- 
■r    remedies.       The  hook  may  b« 

we  fe^l  nnifh  Dinfidence  in  snyim 
■alioii  shnuUI  lie  in  every  intelligent 
ince  would  ht  ndrn  saved  a  tiundn»l- 
ircveution  lu  a  few  vea^^  while  Ihe 
s  of  ii^liorance  would  eive  place  to 
;cl  views.— Zanatnl^  Gnuttf. 

Ileal  Librarv  :••  a  treatise  on  Ihe  rns 
Jiseajrs.— fhis  bi«hly  valuable  work 

is  published  by  J.  A  James,  of  tin- 
Feied  lo  Ihe  public,  cheaper  than  any 
retofnrc  The  imrortance  of  such  a 
t,e  obvious  to  every  one.  \ery  few 
initv  for  a  n«nl.ar  cour^  of  medical 
k  that  biiiiolhe  mi«t  infonnation  in 

if  judiciously  amnjed,  is  most  valu. 
ankind.  Such  we  consider  the  'Fain- 
"  It  conia;™  much  that  is  useful  to 
,  its  anatomical  illustrations  are  I»r. 
^e  wlio  nt»n*  but  a  limilcj  know, 
n-  branch  n(  Medical  science.  I  here 
■c  imiortanl  lo  us,  and  none  w  Inch  w« 
tcl,  Ihan  that  of  our  own  physiral  na- 

conduces  most  to  our  own  health  aud 
Klical  Library  will,  in  a  irral  meamre, 
■v  10  knowledge.  II  will  do  much  lo 
lown  plivsician.  No  family  should  M 
—Miami  fdUa/  KifUr. 

I  Library,  illiBtraled  wilh  one  hundred 
.  Nor>v«il,  M.  U.'-This  is  a  new  and 
mil.  published  by  J.  A.  James,  of  Cm. 
[  cbntaios  nearly  uiue  hoiwlred  page* 
u  the  fine  stvle  in  which  it  it  ifil  un 
err  cheap.  Thai  which  fivei  the  work 
is  ieclion  of  the  cobiitr),  is  its  revision 
•man  of  deserve<lly  bi»li  standin?  in  hit 
a.laplaiion  to  ffcslmi  duBSJCi.  The 
ive  a  valuable  acquisition  lo  every  Intel- 
le  coinmunlly,  and  more  especially  to 
is  no!  always  convenient  lo  obtain  the 
lician.— ^fa<fc«nl  Baitmr. 

ifv  that  I  was  alBlcted  with  piles,  «".• 
/terminated  in  fistula.  Se.er.lphy.i- 
S.T  oae  up.  1  obtained  "The  famdy 
'  and  bv  its  directions  elTecleil  a  cure, 
,  vi-ars.  been  effectual.  Given  under  my 
J.'^nllJlfy  of  August,  I8«-Abinslu. 
r,  India 


county, 


■jOHN  a  HARPER. 


HISTORY    OF   MEXICO; 

Her  Civil  Wurs,  and  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  Annals,  from  the 
period  of  the  Spanisii  Conquest,  1520,  to  the  present  time,  1847  : 
iueluding  an  Account  of  tiie 

War  with  the  United  States, 

its  Cansas  and  Military  Achievements.  By  I^hilip  Youno,  M.  D. 
One  Volume.  ()cUivo,'564  pages,  with  TWO  COPPERI'LATE 
MAPS  of  .Me.vico,  (Lilifornia,  and  Oregon  ;  and  the  Seat  of  the 
War  of  1810-7  :  Also,  Plans  off  he  Siege  of  the  Jilamo,  1836— 
Siege,  of  I'cra  Cniz,  by  the  l-'rench — Castle  of  San  Juan — 
Battle  Ground  of  Palo  .lllo  and  Jie.wra  de  la  Pulma — Opera- 
tinm  of  the  Storming  of  Monterey — Siege  of  Vera  Cruz  by  the 
Americans — Battle  Ground  of  Buenn  Vista. 

"  Tlip  si;  ,e  of  Young's  History  is  clear,  strung,  connected,  and  harmonious. 
He  cDiidcnses,  without  cramiiiiig,  the  liicidenLs,  and  causes  the  reader  to  follow 
with  intcrost  the  cvcr-KhiflinR  wHiiie  of  national  confusion  he  presents.  Those 
who  would  poB-sess  and  read  a  lively,  and,  on  the  whole,  faithful  sketch  of  the 
history  of  that  strange  land,  to  which  all  eyes  arc  turned,  and  whoso  unhappy 
capital  is,  probably,  ere  this,  subject  to  our  comiuering  flag,  will  do  well  to  pur- 
chase the  work  for  perusal  and  reference,  All  should  read,  and  ponder  upon 
its  melancholy  truths — truths  stranger  than  fiction." — Cindnn.  Daily  Gazette. 

"This  is  a  most  readable  book,  and  upon  a  most  interesting  subject  Mexico, 
and  her  instttutioiu!,  and  the  character  and  manners  of  her  people,  are  pregnant 
with  interest  tn  us,  at  this  time,  and  we  know  of  no  volume  to  which  we  can 
turn  our  hands,  that  contains  so  much  information  on  these  subjects,  as  wo  find 
in  Dr.  Young's  book.  The  narrative  is  clear  and  continuous,  the  matter  well 
selected  and  arranged,  and  the  style  is  sufficiently  dignified  without  being  heavy. 
The  portraits  of  tlie  distinguished  men  of  Mexico,  are  sketched  with  vigor,  and 
the  relation  carries  us  regularly  along  the  principal  events  of  Mexican  history, 
from  the  commencement  of  her  struggle  for  independence,  down  to  the  recent  fall 
of  Vera  Cruz." — Cincinnati  Signal. 

"  Its  arrangement  is  excullent,  its  style  gooi',  its  manner  agreeable,  and  its 
matter  highly  interesting.  It  will  repay  an  attentive  perusal.  We  can  cheer- 
fully recommend  it  to  such  as  desire  to  be  instructed,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
entertained,  in  matters  of  Mexican  History." — Cincinnati  Enquirer. 

"  A  very  interesting  work,  of  nearly  six  hundred  octavo  pages,  handsomely 
illustrated  wilh  Maps  and  Engravings  of  the  battle-grounds,  in  which  the  arms 
of  the  United  States  have  Usen  concerned." — St.  Louis  Republican. 

"  This  work  is  written  in  a  clear  and  agreeable  style.  The  author  resided 
several  years  in  Mexico,  and  has,  of  course,  considerable  knowledge  of  the  coun- 
try and  the  people.  He  brings  his  history  up  to  the  close  of  the  battle  of  Uerro 
Gordo." — Louisville  Journal. 

"  The  narrative  part  of  the  hook  is  unusually  interesting.  Dr.  Young  has 
the  power  of  enchaining  attention  to  wliat  he  may  relate,  in  a  remarkable  de- 
gree."— Cincinnati  Herald. 


iilliStiMMMNa 


Books  pvhlislml  by  J.  A.  &  U.  P.  Jamks,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

NEW     WORK 
ON  OREGON,  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS,  ETC. 

Journal  of  Travels  over  the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  the  Mouth  of 
the  Columbia  River,  made  during  the  yean:  1845  and  1846;  con- 
taining minute  descriptions  of  the  Valleys  of  the  vVdlamette,  Ump- 
qua,  and  Clamet ;  and  a  general  description  of  Oregon  1  ern- 
tory,  its  Inhabitants,  Cllimate,  Soil,  Productions,  &c.,  &c.;  a  List 
of  necessnry  Outfits  for  Emigrants,  and  a  Table  of  Distances  from 
Camp  to  Camp  on  the  Route.  Also,  the  Organic  Laws  of  Ore- 
gon Territory,  Tables  of  Indian  Words,  Incidents  of  Travel,  &c., 
&c.     By  Joel  Palmer. 

"The  above  mentioned  book  is  the  production  of  a  citizen  of  Laurel, 
Indiana,  who  went  to  Oregon  to  examine  for  himself,  in  regard  to  the 
country,  and  decide  whether  he  should  take  up  his  residence  in  it.  It 
is  a  plain,  unadorned  narration,  in  the  form  of  a  diary,  containing  a 
mass  of  information  useful  to  the  emigrant,  and  wntlen  m  language 
suited  to  the  condition  of  those  he  wishes  to  benefit.  We  have  seen 
no  book  of  travels  which  we  could  more  heartily  recommend,  on  ac- 
count of  the  information  to  be  derived  from  it. 

"Mr.  Palmer  is  evidently  a  practical  man,  of  sound  judgment,  good 
education,  and  habits  of  observation.  He  gives  particular  directions 
for  crossing  different  fords;  points  out  all  the  good  camping  grounds; 
and  where  there  are  two  trails,  he  tells  which  is  the  better,  which  he 
learned  by  his  own  experience,  and  that  of  his  fellow  travellers.  He 
makes  his  book  a  complete  guide-book  from  his  own  experience.  When 
he  speaks  of  a  plant,  of  a  kind  of  soil,  of  a  variety  of  trees,  ho  does  so 
in  plain,  not  scientific  language.  .    «•  .u„ 

"Mr.  Palmer  is  more  pleased  with  the  country  than  are  most  ot  the 
Oregon  writers.  He  is  not  alarmed  by  woods.  He  remembers  Indiana 
and  Ohio  covered  with  trees,  and  he  knows  that  a  luxuriant  forest,  prog- 
nosticates  a  rich  soil.  He  knows  that  fern  prairies  indicate  deep  black 
earth.  In  fine,  he  is  of  the  opinion  that  for  esculent  roots,  pasturage, 
-  wheat,  oats,  and  all  the  cereal  grains,  except  corn,  Oregon  is  superior 
to  the  f^astern  slope.  It  has  the  delightful  climate  always  mcident  to 
western  coasts.     It  is  healthy.  ,„,      .  j     .  j 

"  There  are  about  13,000  inhabitants  ni  Oregon.  They  have  adopted 
the  Iowa  Constitution.  They  already  supply  the  Sandwich  Islands 
with  lumber,  and  in  some  measure  they  supply  whalers  with  provision. 
So  much  is  Mr.  Palmer  pleased  with  the  land,  with  its  inhabitants, 
and  its  constitution,  that  he  has  taken  up  his  journey  thither  with  his 

"^  "To" any  one  who  wishes  information  concerning  Oregon,  or  who  may 
wish  to  while  away  an  evening  in  reading,  we  would  reco  amend  this 
unpretending  but  really  excellent  work."—  Cincinnati  Daily  Herald. 


'Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


AINS,  ETC. 


ins,  to  the  Mouth  of 
845  and  1846;  con- 
le  vVillamette,  Uinp- 
i  of  Oregon  Terri- 
ms,  &c.,  (fee;  a  List 
lie  of  Distances  from 
ganic  liaws  of  Ore- 
lents  of  Travel,  &c., 

of  a  citizen  of  Laurel, 
iself,  in  regard  to  the 
lis  residence  in  it.  It 
a  diary,  containing  a 
d  written  in  language 
nefit.  We  have  seen 
y  recommend,  on  ac- 

sound  judgment,  good 
3  particular  directions 
ood  camping  grounds ; 
is  the  better,  which  he 
fellow  travellers.  He 
)wn  experience.  When 
ety  of  trees,  ho  does  so 

y  than  are  most  of  the 
He  remembers  Indiana 
ii  luxuriant  forest,  prog- 
ries  indicate  deep  black 
lulent  roots,  pasturage, 
jrn,  Oregon  is  superior 
uate  always  incident  to 

on.  They  have  adopted 
the  Sandwich  Islands 
whalers  with  provision. 
,  with  its  inhabitants, 
ourney  thither  with  his 

ing  Oregon,  or  who  may 
would  reco  amend  this 
icinnati  Daily  Herald. 


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